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411 Fact or Fiction MMA: Should Nathan Diaz Be Turning Down High Profile Welterweight Fights?

March 18, 2016 | Posted by Wyatt Beougher

Welcome back to another edition of 411 Fact or Fiction MMA, and I’m your host, Wyatt Beougher! On Monday and Wednesday, we started the preliminary round of the East Bracket. If you’ve missed them to this point, the brackets are here:

Today is our third and final bout in the preliminary round of the East Bracket, featuring second seed Lorenzo Vasquez III taking on seventh-seeded Jeffrey Harris, who is returning to Fact or Fiction action after a lengthy absence. Today, they’ll be discussing Nathan Diaz possibly turning down high profile welterweight fights in favor of letting his brother fight them, the future of World Series of Fighting champions Justin Gaethje and Marlon Moraes, and more. And if you missed any of the action and want to catch up, you can find all previous tournament bouts at the links below. And though voting has now closed for all three West bracket bouts and Monday’s contest, you can still vote on Wednesday’s contest until 11:59 pm Eastern on Friday night:

–2016.03.07: #4 Eric Moore vs #5 Dan Plunkett, West Bracket – closed
–2016.03.09: #3 Mark Radulich vs #6 Jonathan Solomon, West Bracket – closed
–2016.03.11: #2 Dino Zee vs #7 Stewart Lange, West Bracket – closed
–2016.03.14: #4 Robert Winfree vs #5 Alex Rella, East Bracket – closed
–2016.03.16: #3 Todd Bergman vs #6 Evan Zivin

TALE OF THE TAPE
RED CORNER
Lorenzo “Corpse Grinder” Vasquez III (#2 Seed, East)
Contributor, 411 MMA Zone
4-0-1

VS

BLUE CORNER
Jeffrey “The Vile One” Harris (#7 Seed, East)
Contributor, Various 411 Zones
0-0-0

1.) If high profile welterweight fights (specifically with Georges St. Pierre or Robbie Lawler) are being offered to Nathan Diaz, he should not be passing them up out of loyalty to his brother, as the elder Diaz is still unlicensed and there is no guarantee he will even return to the Octagon.

Lorenzo Vasquez III: FICTION This could be an easy FACT. The most logical frame of thought here is Nate Diaz has to strike the iron while it is hot. You want the most money possible, the big money fights; you take the offer and run without looking back. It’s that easy. Yet, when we’re talking about a Diaz brother, it isn’t necessarily that easy. Blood is thicker than water and no amount of money or opportunity is going to get between Nate and Nick, especially if they feel there is a possibility of that very problem happening.

If Nate feels that his big brother is coming back, then don’t count on him taking a high profile welterweight bout. Their principles and ideals have more meaning to them than money does. Simply, it’s who they are and where they come from. The only way Nate takes such a fight is if he and Nick discuss it and Nick gives him the green light. In addition, Nate’s welterweight run isn’t on his list of greatest accomplishments and staying at lightweight makes more sense from his standing as a fighter. If you need a reminder, I’ll go ahead and plug UFC Fight Pass now and recommend that you watch his fights with Rory MacDonald and Dong Hyun Kim.

Jeffrey Harris: FACT Nate Diaz throwing out that viewpoint is a load of malarkey. He was the one that was complaining about not getting big fights and big money fights a few months ago. Now he’s in a position where he can finally cash in and make more money than he ever thought possible in MMA. Nick Diaz is still on suspension. It might be a reduced suspension, but he can’t fight at the moment. If a hypothetical welterweight title fight is on the table, he shouldn’t turn it down. As far as Georges St-Pierre is concerned, Nate Diaz claimed he wanted that fight and tried to get that fight. At least according to this report from FOX Sports. So why he’s changing his mind on that point is beyond me. Then again, he is a Diaz brother.

2.) With lightweight champion Justin Gaethje and bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes both planning to test the free agency market after their WSoF contracts are up, World Series of Fighting will not retain either champion beyond the end of their current contracts.

Lorenzo Vasquez III: FICTION This one was tough. Both are looking to test the waters and find out their worth and both wouldn’t mind jumping ship to the UFC. After all, getting to the big stage is the dream. Justin Gaethje, however, I don’t think minds staying with WSOF if moving on to the UFC isn’t in his future as long as they (WSOF) can ink some heavy paychecks. Gaethje, it seems, won’t sell himself short just to go to the UFC. Money will be a big factor in his decision. Marlon Moraes,though, is surely ready to say goodbye to WSOF and move on to the bigger stage and I think he could find much success there.

The thing is we really don’t know how much the UFC wants them and what ability WSOF has to match any potential UFC offers. Obviously, both fighters are ready to move on. Moraes is riding an 11-fight win streak that dates back to 2011 and Gaethje is 16-0 as a professional fighter. Both attract attention from the minor league—smaller promotion—standpoint, can deliver entertaining bouts, and they have solid records. Usually, this is all a clear indication that a fighter is UFC bound. But, I can’t go with FACT on this one. We don’t know what the UFC is willing to offer, WSOF could match or up an offer, and there is Bellator. Bellator is hiring and if they think these two WSOF champions are worth something they will throw their bid into the hat. Finally, both fighters still have a fight or two to complete their current contracts with WSOF and a devastating loss could dramatically change their worth in the eyes of the UFC.

Jeffrey Harris: FICTION I’m saying FICTION because that question just sounds too absolute. Obviously, I can see both men going into the UFC and being very competitive there. They’ve both done very well as champions in their respective divisions at the World Series of Fighting. However, this question doesn’t really take into account what the UFC might offer fighters like Gaethje and Moraes. While both men are champions in the WSOF, there’s no guarantee they can or will become contenders in the UFC. Not only that, there are potential benefits to being the bigger fish in a smaller pond. Some fighters also aren’t as comfortable fighting on the larger stage. I’m not saying Gaethje or Moraes are scared, but maybe the UFC will not even want to open up the coffers for them either. In that case, WSOF might be able to offer them competitive contracts with some nicer incentives. Ultimately, I want to see both men make a go at fighting in the Octagon, but it still might not possibly pan out that way. Moraes especially is a guy I’ve enjoyed fighting for a while, and I want to see how far he could make it in the bantamweight ranks, which could really use a fighter like him. However, at the same time, fighting the UFC is a different ballgame. Look at how Josh Burkman, who was an absolute beast against some solid competition in the WSOF, has performed since returning to the UFC. It’s not just the level of competition but the whole presentation fighters will struggle with.

3.) Matt Mitrione signing with Bellator is a good signing for both parties.

Lorenzo Vasquez III: FACT Most definitely! Nonetheless, I would have liked Mitrione to stick around the UFC for one more run. Mitrione is a victim of “getting into the game too late.” The NFL defensive tackle is athletic, dynamic, and explosive; and, for his first professional fight taking place inside the Octagon back in 2009, he hasn’t done too badly. He’s mostly been aided by his athletic prowess and striking power, but he lacks technique in large part due to his lack of a martial arts background. He’s made steady improvements but manages to continually get himself stuck in terrible positions against the middle and upper echelon of the heavyweight division. It’s too bad and you have to wonder what could have been; but, Bellator should fit him perfectly. In fact, if he continues with his steady improvement, he can be a serious threat to Bellator’s top three heavyweights. It’ll be interesting to watch his run under the Bellator flag.

Jeffrey Harris:FACT All indications are that Matt Mitrione signed a deal he is happy with that pays what he believes he is worth. Mitrione obviously was not happy about certain things going on in the UFC, including the Reebok deal, so this deal was a good deal for him. It’s only four fights, so technically, if it doesn’t work out and he’s not happy, he could attempt to return to the UFC at the end of this deal. In the UFC, Mitrione had essentially hit the ceiling. He was a mid-level heavyweight in a very thin division. In Bellator, Mitrione probably has a better chance of getting a title run with its incredibly limited roster of heavyweights. Not only that, it will allow him to do commentary and broadcasting work, which is what he wants. This deal probably gets him more attention that he will like that he probably wasn’t getting in the UFC.

SWITCH!

4.) Taking a fight at UFC 199 with Bobby Green, who is lower ranked and coming off of a loss, makes little sense for Dustin Poirier, who is currently riding a three-fight winning streak since returning to lightweight.

Jeffrey Harris: FICTION Bobby Green is still a ranked opponent and a tough match-up for Dustin Poirier. Lightweight is the most competitive, shark-infested, and bloodthirsty division in all of MMA. That means that fighters who are ranked lower are a lot better than their ranking spot or even their record makes them appear to be. Let’s not forget, Bobby Green is a far cry from his “Hood Style” days of Affliction when he lost to Dan Lauzon. He started his UFC run at 4-0 before his recent loss to Edson Barboza. He’s had some personal issues lately between injuries and the loss of his brother. Regardless, he’s still a competitive and tough match-up. Sometimes in MMA, you will be matched up with an opponent who might be ranked two spots below you. It doesn’t mean it’s a bad match-up. This is Poirier’s chance to continue building his resume at lightweight against a tough opponent with a winning UFC record. In many ways, this is a bigger fight than Joseph Duffy. Green has a much better resume between his UFC and Strikeforce credentials. Arguably, he’s a tougher match-up for Poirier. If Poirier wins here, that’s an even bigger win for him than Joseph Duffy.

Lorenzo Vasquez III: FACT If Bobby Green hadn’t been out for more than a year to this date, I’d say not necessarily. While a fighter should always strive to challenge those ranked ahead of him or her, fighting a strong veteran like Bobby Green is no easy feat. Green can take it and dish it out and is a capable striker with the potential to steal decisions. However, because he’s been out so long, Poirier really should have pushed for a more relevant fighter. Someone fresh like Donald Cerrone or even Michael Johnson, who desperately needs a win to remain within the top ten, would have been more of a pivotal fight for Poirier. Beating Green won’t get him any higher and losing to a fighter who’s been out since November 22, 2014, could set the former featherweight back and force him to restart his climb up the ladder and back into top ten territory.

5.) With Jinh Yu Frey currently riding a three-fight win streak and her latest win coming over former champion and previously second-ranked Herica Tiburcio, her calling out Invicta Atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki actually makes sense.

Jeffrey Harris: FACT For the atomweight division, this is the only fight that makes sense for Frey right now. She’s won her last three fights in Invicta FC, so she’s basically next in line for a title shot. There doesn’t appear to be anyone else in the division ahead of her, so it would be sound matchmaking to book Ayaka Hamasaki vs. Jinh Yu Frey for the title next.

Lorenzo Vasquez III: FACT Jinh Yu Frey picked up one helluva impressive win at Invicta 16. She took a close unanimous decision and was able to knockdown the former champion in the closing stanza of the second round. Indeed, a few more seconds and Frey may have won via TKO instead of decision. Frey’s victory also outshines the champion, Ayaka Hamasaki’s, split-decision victory over the same opponent, Herica Tiburcio. In fact Hamasaki took the belt from Tiburcio. Frey made a case as the next in line to challenge for the atomweight strap, and it happens to be the strongest. There is no one else, other than Hamasaki, she should be calling out.

6.) At this point in time, Rashad Evans is correct – Glover Teixeira is a tougher opponent for Evans, even on short notice, than the man he is replacing, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

Jeffrey Harris: FACT Mauricio “Shogun” Rua was probably one of the better fights Rashad Evans could get at this point, especially after his last performance against Ryan Bader. Teixeira is a much more dangerous opponent on every level. Not to mention, Teixeira was an opponent who Shogun refused to fight earlier in the UFC. Teixeira may not ever be able to win that title, but he’s a much bigger threat than Shogun at this point. Shogun is past his prime as a fighter, and his chin is shot. That would’ve especially favored a fight with Evans. In his last fight, Evans looked flatter than Diet Coke against Ryan Bader. This is a high-risk fight for Evans. However, if he can come out on top here, that can put him in a much better position than he is in now. While Teixeira is a tougher fight, even on short notice, if Evans can somehow win, that’s a better win than beating Shogun at this point. That being said, I’m picking Teixeira to beat Evans, who is also looking past his prime at this point.

Lorenzo Vasquez III: FACT Glover Teixeira is on the cusp of earning his second title shot at light heavyweight. The Brazilian is a win away from getting another crack at gold and he is showing the world every time he steps into the Octagon that he is still a very capable top five light heavyweight. Teixeira still has some sharp and powerful boxing and his wrestling is still underrated, strong, and skillful enough to stifle Evans’ attempts to take things to the ground. Don’t let the Brazilian’s performance against Phil Davis fool you.

Teixeira wasn’t himself that day; and, besides his loss to Jon Jones, Davis is the only skid on his record since he debuted in the UFC. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, on the other hand, is far removed from his days as a fierce and vicious striker. After Jon Jones utterly destroyed him and his absolute war with Dan Henderson in 2014, Shogun really has not been able to get the ball rolling. He just isn’t the same fighter and his ability to take punishment has withered down. No disrespect to Shogun, but he’s left something in Octagon that he can’t ever get back and in no way is he a tougher challenge to Rashad Evans than Glover Teixeira.

So who won? Did Lorenzo remain unbeaten or was Jeff’s return to action a successful one? You’ve got until midnight eastern on Monday to vote, so make sure you make your voice heard!

And that’s it for today, but we’ll be back next week for the West bracket quarterfinals! As always, if there’s anything you’d like to see featured in a future edition, leave your statement in the comments and I’ll add it in. Let me know what you thought in the comments or on Twitter. And please, be sure to vote!

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