UFC Star Diego Sanchez Wants to Coach TUF Against Nick Diaz
by Nate Wilcox on Apr 11, 2011 11:23 AM EDT
in UFC News
Email
Print
In the aftermath of Nick Diaz' epic victory over Paul Daley to retain his Strikeforce welterweight belt, Diego Sanchez took to Twitter to propose that he and Diaz should be the next coaches of The Ultimate Fighter.
If you support me and my idea for me and nickdiaz as tuf coaches please let @lorenzofertitta @danawhite @ufc know this would be true war.less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone 
Favorite 
Retweet 
Reply
Diego Sanchez
DiegoSanchez505
@jimmykahn Zuffa can do what ever makes $$$ I like this fight it motivates us both very much he hates me and I like beating the bad guy.less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyDiego Sanchez
DiegoSanchez505
Sanchez and Diaz put on three rounds of classic MMA grappling at The Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale in November 2005. Sanchez won that decision but it could have gone either way.
MMA Mania did a recap of the classic bout last week:
Looking at the tale of the tape, it is shocking to see that Sanchez was 23 and Diaz was only 22 years old when they met inside the Octagon in Las Vegas, Nevada, in Nov. 2005.
And both were essentially veterans in the sport at that point.
Diaz had been fighting for four years and was the first WEC welterweight champion. Sanchez, meanwhile, started fighting three years prior with a King of the Cage strap on his resume.
On fight night, the passionate pair met in the center of the cage for pre-fight instructions and Diaz immediately got in Sanchez's face, forcing the referee to order him back. The bad blood was boiling over at this point.
Read the whole thing for a blow by blow breakdown of the legendary scrap.
Sanchez is doing some good online marketing here and succeeding in inserting himself in the conversation which so far has focused on Diaz vs UFC champ Georges St Pierre. But let's get real, there is almost zero chance of the mercurial and camera shy Diaz spending six weeks in Las Vegas to film the show.
More importantly, given Diaz' historic weakness against fighters with a strong wrestling background and the utter paucity of credible challengers for GSP's 170lb belt, the UFC would be fool hardy to do anything but rush Diaz in for an immediate title shot against GSP.
It seems very likely that Diaz will get to test his mettle against at least one formidable wrestler in Strikeforce since their only contender for his welterweight title is Tyron Woodley.
Diaz is ranked #7 and Sanchez is ranked #9 in the latest USAT/SBN Consensus MMA Rankings.
HT MMA Mania
102 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
you mean
YUS!!!
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Nate Wilcox on Apr 11, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
DO NOT WANT
There are too many great fights for Nick Diaz in the UFC to tie him up for so long on a reality show. He doesn’t need a false feud to make him interesting—he’s got an abundance of real-life beefs to settle.
█♣█
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who -- Jay-Z
by thetakeover on Apr 11, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
There are too many great fights for Nick Diaz any fighter in the UFC to tie him up for so long on a reality show
I am. I think. I will. - Ayn Rand
But I won’t pick against Jon Jones again until I see him lose. - Kwisatz Haderach
by vivero on Apr 11, 2011 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
agreed
I mean don’t get me wrong, this could be a GREAT rematch and a great season but I would like to see Nick throw down and build his name up even more with the casual UFC fans before he decides to coach TUF. There are some great fights available to him. He could fight Carlos Condit, Martin Kampmann, Nate Marquardt (should he move down to 170 like he said), Anthony Johnson etc. This fight could happen and i’d love to see Nick Diaz and Diego as coaches on TUF. It would just be ridiculous haha. But I want to see him fight in the UFC again before that.
I like
Diego seems to have regressed, or at the very least stagnated, while Nick seems to have steadily improved. I honestly think Nick works circa-2011 Diego at 170 pounds, and if he doesn’t, he’d have little chance of beating the elite wrestlers in the division.
Also, Nick as a coach would be hillarious.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
I think Nick could potentially be a great coach.
He seems like an extremely technical fighter, both on the feet and the ground. He’s knowledgable in both dieting and having awesome cardio. The proverbial nuggets of wisdom he could drop on these could be incredible. Listening to him break down the pride rules recently, and hearing how passionate he is about martial arts in most of his interviews, I wouldn’t be surprised if Diaz pulled off a Tito-esque coaching stint.
I'm not suggesting he'd be bad
I just think that good or bad, he’d be great TV.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
by Dave Strummer on Apr 11, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Seems like an opportunity
for Mr. “I just want to get paid” to get paid something approaching what he wants.
<3
love everything about that fight, two fantastic grapplers, penn has a striking advantage, diaz has a size advantage. want it, need it, gotta have it.
Jonny Bench called.
by Sterling Archer on Apr 11, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
penn has a striking advantage
No he doesn’t. Diaz would smack him around standing. I only see Penn winning on the ground.
youre adorable
Jonny Bench called.
by Sterling Archer on Apr 11, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
If this fight ever happens, I’ll be very interested to see how the striking happens. I have zero confidence Penn can make up that reach disadvantage against Diaz’s high-volume style, and KO power is completely irrelevant given Diaz’s chin, ability to recover, and gas tank.
This is coming from a person who hates Nick Diaz with the fiery burning passion of a thousand suns.
i see your point
and respect your opinion, i just disagree. i think it the prodigy shows up and fights, his striking is 2nd to only anderson silva as far as power combined with precision go. bj is a crafty grappler as well, and very limber. i think it would be a great match up, but i stand by my advantages for each fighter.
Jonny Bench called.
by Sterling Archer on Apr 11, 2011 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I see the striking
as very even. Especially if BJ used his hands to set up takedowns, he could definitely beat Nick. Great fight though.
http://www.headkicklegend.com/
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Apr 11, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions
been wanting to see that fight for a while
too bad Penn’s career is on the downslide while Diaz is peaking. Still I’d much rather see Penn vs Diaz than Penn vs Fitch II
by OZON3 on Apr 11, 2011 12:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
BJ's career on the downslide?
He’s 1-1 against the current LW champ (IMO), 1-1 against the current WW champ (again- IMO), and just took 2 rounds from the consensus #2 welterweight in the world. And Daley was the first ranked opponent Diaz has fought for years.
http://www.headkicklegend.com/
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Apr 11, 2011 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions
WW Mini Tournament for #1 contender
Condit vs. Stun Gun
Sanchez vs. Diaz II
Let it happen.
"If I had a dollar for every brain you don't have, I'd have one dollar." - Squidward Tentacles
Further proof that Diego Sanchez is BAT ESS CRAZY. I wish he’d win though. Was a fan of his extreme positivity. He may have actually figured out how to eliminate all negativity from your mind.
They made a video game about Yakuzas. It’s called Yakuza. And it’s about Yakuza
gocyborg.com
i have no interest
in watching diego coach cartwheels, and diaz will want nothing to do with that much camera time and inability to smoke pot.
this idea is a code 5 fail.
Jonny Bench called.
by Sterling Archer on Apr 11, 2011 11:36 AM EDT reply actions
Could you imagine Diaz coaching fighters properly?
I think not.
by Pulverizer on Apr 11, 2011 11:36 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Diaz coaching staff: Nate Diaz, Joe Rogan, and Eddie Bravo.
"If I had a dollar for every brain you don't have, I'd have one dollar." - Squidward Tentacles
by SSreporters on Apr 11, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
I'd tune in to watch that crew in action regardless of whether the rest of the show was any good
"I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by in the fight, what you saw, in the ring." - Tito Ortiz
by CasualMMAFan on Apr 11, 2011 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Given how little of the coaching is actually done by the “star fighters” it’s not a huge deal
Managing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 11, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
………..you maea valid point (Rampage Jackson)
They made a video game about Yakuzas. It’s called Yakuza. And it’s about Yakuza
gocyborg.com
It’s not just Rampage. Most of the coaching on the shows is done by the coaches that the main coach brings on. There are days where the “head coach” doesn’t come in, days where they’re only in long enough to get some clips that can be used on the show..etc. They do some actual coaching, don’t get me wrong…but the team they bring with them does the majority.
From what I’ve been told, Bisping actually did the most ACTUAL coaching…possibly because he wasn’t “home” so he didn’t have a lot to do other than hang out at the gym
Managing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 11, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
little puzzled by this
he’s a veteran fighter, who trains out of a camp with several prominent title holders. just cause he has an odd attitude when it comes to the media, doesn’t mean he doesn’t have anything to offer as a coach.
dude, imagine how hilarious that would be. I'd supa watch that
Everytime he would try to teach em something it would be a 15 min long super tangential stream of consciousness, that would have everyone scratchin their heads.
I can also see him laughing at completely bizarre times.
Karo should be the special guest referee
by OZON3 on Apr 11, 2011 11:37 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
He won't show up for taping.
"If I had a dollar for every brain you don't have, I'd have one dollar." - Squidward Tentacles
by SSreporters on Apr 11, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
paranoia strikes back
Jonny Bench called.
by Sterling Archer on Apr 11, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
No thank you
Meet me on Monsta Island. Where the girls look good and the MC's be Wildin'.
Also, follow me on Twitter @DeoWade
Diaz is not going to coach TUF. And I agree with Nate that if / when Diaz takes a UFC fight, it’s going to be against GSP for the belt right away. If Anthony Pettis can come in from WEC and get a title shot at LW, sure as hell Nick Diaz who is a top 10 fighter is going to get it, especially considering this whole idea that GSP has cleaned out the division. They’ll market it as champion vs champion and such.. only a few hardcores will complain about Diaz trouble with wrestlers, but that’s fine.
by Horselover Fat on Apr 11, 2011 11:40 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Yeah I would love to see Diaz vs GSP
I don’t care that the outcome seems like a forgone conclusion to most—it’s MMA, and something crazy might happen in a scramble.
And really, if Anderson is going to fight Okami anyway, it seems like that catch-weight super-fight is not on the immediate horizon anyway, so I don’t see any fight for GSP that’s any more exciting or any more dangerous. He’s already beaten everyone except Shields.
Diaz vs GSP is even better if Shields pulls off the Hail Mary and wins.
by Lauren J Darkbloom on Apr 11, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t mind seeing it, definitely won’t complain if they make it happen, but I’m not holding my breath either. I’m fine with Diaz where he is now, putting on awesome fights.
Oh that’s right, they can use the revenge angle too after Shields get beaten half to death by GSP, saying Diaz is pissed and wants to avenge his fallen comrade. Good stuff, won’t be too hard to market that one. Even better if Woodley gets subbed first just to show that Nick now can deal with wrestlers better, if that happens (although some will still complain Woodley is too green etc.)
by Horselover Fat on Apr 11, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
And it even makes sense from a sport perspective
I just looked up the consensus rankings. GSP is fighting number 3, Shields, later this month.
He’s beaten #2, #4, #5 and #6—in some cases twice. Diaz is tied for 7 with Condit, but after the Daley win I think he has to move up a little bit. He’s literally the highest ranking welterweight other than Shields that St. Pierre hasn’t murdered yet. So to me, it’s the fight to make.
by Lauren J Darkbloom on Apr 11, 2011 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Interim title shot!
GSP is (hopefully) leaving the division after the Shields fight, so really we’re talking about whoever emerges for the interim title they’re going to create… maybe even a quasi-tournament deal… but that doesn’t work out well for Diaz. He’ll be taken down and mauled by the first wrestler he faces and there are plenty atop the UFC 170lb division that would be more than happy to give him a good Fitching.
I’d guess if the UFC wants to protect him for a title shot, he’d get someone like Kampmann. Other than Kampmann, really only BJ or Alves would be willing to stand and trade with Diaz… Alves is a huge step up from Daley and we all saw how close he came to KO’ing diaz.
Getting bent out of shape over a fight promoter lying is like getting upset that a hooker won't kiss you. It betrays a deep lack of understanding of the nature of the profession.
That’s a great point. I know I’d much rather see him fight Diaz than any rematches with Fitch and those guys. I still hope GSP won’t go to middleweight, so if that doesn’t happen Diaz makes a lot of sense.
by Horselover Fat on Apr 11, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m sure one day the fighters would show up at the gym wondering where Diaz is. They’ll train on their own and look for Diaz later only to find him in a smoked out room staring at a picture of Barbara Streisand.
They made a video game about Yakuzas. It’s called Yakuza. And it’s about Yakuza
gocyborg.com
staredown = epic
So let me get this straight: the WWE has gone from the powerful "Austin 3:16" to the dominant and iconic "Can you smell what the Rock is cooking?" all the way to... (cue baby voice) "You can't see me." Oh, believe me, we all can see you. A blind-folded, sleeping, stuck in the basement, Stevie Wonder can see your monkey ass. - The Rock
Diaz/Sanchez rematch would be great
Scratch TUF all together.
I am. I think. I will. - Ayn Rand
But I won’t pick against Jon Jones again until I see him lose. - Kwisatz Haderach
Yeah, scratch TUF. I guess Diego Sanchez never paid attention to a Nick Diaz interview.
I tend to be biased towards strikers . . . exciting strikers.
- - - - -
VEe is ANIMated!
by VeeisAnimated on Apr 11, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I feel we would hear an overabundance of the word "homie" if this were to happen.
"What do you know about my vision? My vision will turn your world upside down, tear asunder your illusions and send the sanctuary of your own ignorance crashing down around you. Now ask yourself: Are you really ready to see that vision?"
-Huey Freeman
by dgonz on Apr 11, 2011 11:48 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Diego is such an egotistical jackass...
So of course he thinks he deserves a spot as coach on TUF. I would love to see Nick Diaz smash his face into ground beef.
.....you've heard Nick Diaz talk right?
"What do you know about my vision? My vision will turn your world upside down, tear asunder your illusions and send the sanctuary of your own ignorance crashing down around you. Now ask yourself: Are you really ready to see that vision?"
-Huey Freeman
by dgonz on Apr 11, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thank you for the...
Link love, Nate. It’s much appreciated.
And I would LOVE to see these two coach TUF. I mean, beyond the sheer awesomeness of Diaz and Sanchez, it’d be essentially Cesar Gracie JJ vs. Greg Jackson’s MMA.
by Sergio Hernandez on Apr 11, 2011 12:01 PM EDT reply actions
I enjoyed the piece
keep ’em coming!
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Nate Wilcox on Apr 11, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I was just watching an interview with Dana and Ariel the other day, and he was talking about these “Twitter Campaigns”. He wasn’t happy with Wand for starting one for the Leben fight, but in the end gave him what he wanted. I don’t think this snowball has a chance in hell.
Be a man, not a child-Phil Anselmo
Methinks Diaz vs. Penn would kick ass
Give Diaz one fight in the UFC against a non-wrestler and watch the sparks fly.
Bob Arum thinks I'm a white Nazi skinhead even though I'm a brown grad student (with hair)
Diego, get off the mans nuts
He’s not thinking about you.
by barpower on Apr 11, 2011 12:05 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Would love to see Nick on TUF
But not against Diego.
Diaz vs BJ would be a much better fight, and much more interesting on TV
Wasn’t Diego just complaining about fighters boosting themselves off his name, but yet he likes doing that to Nick.
agreed
Diego doesnt deserve a bout against Nick in my books, he squeezed out a win and showed no improvements against Martin K., he was asking Diego vs Penn before this.
Nick Diaz’s performance was nothing but incredible against Daley, he’s gotten the attention of the welterweight world, and he deserves that sort of attention with such a performance and win streak.
Penn, Condit would be good options, I would rather see Diaz fight Penn due to the grappling prowess and the fact that it will be a dream bout of some sorts
You know
we haven’t seen Nick really test himself against an elite wrestler for some time. When he hit the ground with Gomi he slapped on that gogo pretty quick. With the leaps and bounds in his striking, are we fooling ourselves to think that he hasnt evolved in that area as well? Make this fight happen!
If you wanna throw down in fisticuffs, fine! I've got Jack Johnson and Tom O'Leary waitin' for ya...right here!
by ODBasyoucansee on Apr 11, 2011 12:12 PM EDT reply actions
I made this...
Point yesterday.
Are we assuming poor TDD based on figths from 5-6 years ago? And the only post-UFC figth I can remember him getting taken down was Gomi and he subbed him in spectacular fashion.
by Sergio Hernandez on Apr 11, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Dan Hardy
I’d love to see Diaz versus Hardy before a Diego rematch.
Jab, jab, towards, short, fierce.
Not feeling it.
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
And may I add that I think Diaz is just a way better fighter right now than Sanchez is?
Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."
by xFenixKnightx on Apr 11, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
Sanchez is at #9, which seems high (top 15? Yes, but after Kampmann… ) Diaz at #8 seems very unkind.
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
Mohandas Gandhi
"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights."
Muhammad Ali
"If MMA is like dog fighting, those are some pretty fucking smart dogs."
"I don’t want to lick any butt."
GSP
This is the first main event I saw as a burgeoning MMA fan.
WANT MOAR
@scb0212
The Machiavellian.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Apr 11, 2011 12:42 PM EDT reply actions
No
If Diego wasn’t 2 and 2 in his last four, and if he had dominated his two recent wins, and if Diaz weren’t the Strikeforce champion I’d say yes.
But frankly, Diego and Diaz doesn’t make sense right now Diaz is on the assent and Sanchez is “restructuring.” I would like to see the match if Sanchez goes the next four dominating every fighter he faces like Diaz has.
Diaz in the UFC only means one thing to me… Diaz/Koschek. That is fire. If he destroy Kos, then Diaz deserves to be in the belt run. Make Kos his first UFC match then put him in contention. If Kos beats him, give him Sanchez.
No TUF season. As interesting as their personalities are, I just don’t think Sanchez deserves Diaz at this point.
Give us Sonnen/Bisping!
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
Mohandas Gandhi
"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights."
Muhammad Ali
"If MMA is like dog fighting, those are some pretty fucking smart dogs."
"I don’t want to lick any butt."
GSP
If anything Diego should rematch Kampmann
Cause I follow both of them on Twitter and they are still talking shit, hilarious.
The key is to hit the guy in the jaw really hard before the other guy does it to you.
by FreeLightningLee on Apr 11, 2011 12:55 PM EDT reply actions
Do we really want to see the exciting flame of Nick Diaz be smothered by the wet blankets of the UFC? Diaz was taken down by Paul Daley.. if a guy like koscheck, fitch or maynard take him down.. i dont think hes getting back up
why do people keep bringing up maynard
I haven’t heard anything about either of them wanting to change weight classes.
Conducting an experiment on knocking people out in particular ways would be unethical.
Because after the third fight with edgar, if maynard doesnt get the W, is he gonna stick around at lightweight to get a 4th fight with edgar?
Interesting
Hadn’t considered it yet actually. But I hadn’t heard any speculation from him or his team either.
Conducting an experiment on knocking people out in particular ways would be unethical.
WOW, he’s asking for this fight?
Did he not look in the mirror after the Kampman fight? Nick would wreck his face way worse than Marty did.
Go back to your stevia and Dan Quinn homey!!!
Well, Diego’s already beat Diaz once… I’d give Diego a decent shot at winning again in a rematch, that’s for sure.
by Shnak on Apr 11, 2011 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’d rather see Diaz against the winner of Story/Alves so I can be 100% sure he’ll lose.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Editor, HeadKickLegend.com
Contributor for CagesideSeats.com and Bloody Elbow Radio
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Apr 11, 2011 2:39 PM EDT reply actions
yeah, it would be a war.
like Germany invading Poland.
there is no planet where Diego doesn’t get absolutely dismantled in nearly every category by Diaz.
My first novel is now available in trade paperback. Take a look: http://tinyurl.com/2ag7njo
I'd want this.
If only to see to of the oddest personalities in MMA on the screen every week doing god knows what.
Diego teaching his team to do cartwheels and sitting around a campfire talking about the need for positive attitudes while his team is forced to rethink their nicknames. Diaz on the other hand would spend the entire show looking over his shoulder, calling out his own fighters for percieved slights, and talking about how he gets no respect because how American MMA favors wrestlers. Nothing but entertainment here!
by Empty Thoughts on Apr 11, 2011 4:13 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
UFC welterweight division is a shark tank of grapplers right now. I’m not sure why a lot of people are now assuming Nick would be this huge force to reckon with let alone beat the champ just because he beat Paul Daley in a fight where he himself got dropped by Daley. The hype train is like that I suppose.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bloody Elbow
Related FanShots on Bloody Elbow
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
MMA Rankings
