Promoted from the FanPosts by Kid Nate

Shamrock gave his take on the Nick Diaz/Strikeforce situation.  From AOL's MMA Fanhouse:

Sadly, it's a big problem because somebody's out a lot of money -- Strikeforce/Showtime -- and you know, that wasn't fair from a professional standpoint. But you know, I'm not matching the fights, and unfortunately, Diaz has a strong name right now, and he has a lot of value to somebody. I mean, UFC has expressed value. We all like Nick, he's just a knucklehead. And hopefully, he'll come into his own because he's coming into his own as a fighter, but his maturity, I think, is 10 years behind that.

Never short on opinions, Shamrock also talked about his contentious relationship with UFC president Dana White:

I have nothing against Dana. I never really have. I just don't believe in the master plan of what they are trying to do, and I said that and they didn't like that and that's OK. That's a disagreement, you know? But Dana took it a step further and erased me from all the history, and have been, you know, very mean about it. And I could care less. I'm not going to fight for them because I don't believe in their business model. I'm going to do something else. That's business; that's my right.

It's hard to argue with Shamrock's assessment of Diaz.  Furthermore, his criticisms of Dana White and the UFC are certainly above the belt, and there's honestly some merit to his assertion that White conveniently left the notable accomplishments of Frank Shamrock out of the build-up for UFC 100.  Certainly, the UFC isn't obligated to include a competitor of sorts in its marketing.  However, because I don't see Shamrock and Strikeforce as major threats to the UFC at this time, completely freezing out Shamrock was unnecessary.  It only gives Shamrock something to gripe about, a legitimate gripe at that.

Maybe my perception is a bit distorted, but it seems as if some of MMA 's sworn enemies have taken a more civil approach towards one another.  Tito Ortiz and Dana White are buddies again.  Don't forget about Affliction's second coming as a UFC sponsor.  White's taking a softer approach toward Frank Shamrock; Shamrock is acting in kind.  I seem to remember Matt Lindland positioning (maybe hoping) for a UFC return.  Of course, Scott Coker and Fedor Emelianenko are definitely out of the running for a Dana White Christmas card... for now, anyway.