Nick Diaz, new contract in hand, will square off with KJ Noons for the EliteXC 160-pound championship in the main event of Elite XC “Renegade” on Saturday, Nov. 10 in Corpus Christi, Texas, according to ProElite.com.
EliteXC announced Thursday it had come to terms on an exclusive, long-term extension with Diaz (15-6), the 24-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt best known for his gogoplata submission of PRIDE lightweight champion Takanori Gomi at PRIDE 33. Though the result was later ruled a no contest by the Nevada State Athletic Commission – Diaz tested positive for marijuana use in wake of the event – the Stockton, Calif. native’s stock shot through the roof.
“Nick is a tremendously talented young fighter, and we are extremely thrilled to have him join our family,” said EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw. “He is a very humble young man and dedicated athlete with an enormous wealth of talent.”
The emotionally charged Diaz emerged from a six-month NSAC-imposed exile for suspected marijuana use with a split decision victory over heavy-handed Hawaiian Mike Aina in his EliteXC debut Sept. 15. Few in the MMA world can match Diaz’s physical tools, but his emotions have oftentimes gotten the best of him. He was involved in well-documented hospital brawl with Joe Riggs following their match at UFC 57 and has been vilified for taunting opponents during fights.
He will enter his title bout with Noons (5-2) on a four-fight winning streak. A Cesar Gracie disciple, Diaz remains the only man to hold a knockout victory over current EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler; he stopped the hard-hitting Californian in the second round at UFC 47 in 2004.
“This is really awesome,” Diaz said. “Everybody knows that I am just a fighter who is looking for some respect and an organization that will let me be me. Gary Shaw and EliteXC really stepped up, and I am so grateful and happy for it.”
EliteXC announced Thursday it had come to terms on an exclusive, long-term extension with Diaz (15-6), the 24-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt best known for his gogoplata submission of PRIDE lightweight champion Takanori Gomi at PRIDE 33. Though the result was later ruled a no contest by the Nevada State Athletic Commission – Diaz tested positive for marijuana use in wake of the event – the Stockton, Calif. native’s stock shot through the roof.
“Nick is a tremendously talented young fighter, and we are extremely thrilled to have him join our family,” said EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw. “He is a very humble young man and dedicated athlete with an enormous wealth of talent.”
The emotionally charged Diaz emerged from a six-month NSAC-imposed exile for suspected marijuana use with a split decision victory over heavy-handed Hawaiian Mike Aina in his EliteXC debut Sept. 15. Few in the MMA world can match Diaz’s physical tools, but his emotions have oftentimes gotten the best of him. He was involved in well-documented hospital brawl with Joe Riggs following their match at UFC 57 and has been vilified for taunting opponents during fights.
He will enter his title bout with Noons (5-2) on a four-fight winning streak. A Cesar Gracie disciple, Diaz remains the only man to hold a knockout victory over current EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler; he stopped the hard-hitting Californian in the second round at UFC 47 in 2004.
“This is really awesome,” Diaz said. “Everybody knows that I am just a fighter who is looking for some respect and an organization that will let me be me. Gary Shaw and EliteXC really stepped up, and I am so grateful and happy for it.”
