Why Demain Maia wont be fighting Nick Diaz at Metamoris

[Wild]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQsBLiCCNv0


Surging UFC welterweight contender Demian Maia said he was offered a grappling match with Nick Diaz and would have accepted it, but Diaz’s participation was suddenly taken off the table.

While in Las Vegas for this past weekend’s UFC 195 event, Maia (22-6 MMA, 16-6 UFC) said Ralek Gracie, who promotes the all-grappling Metamoris event, offered him a grappling match with the onetime welterweight title challenger at a future event.

“Last week, my manager was talking with Ralek, and they offered us to fight Diaz,” Maia said. “I said, ‘Let’s go.’ For a long time, I haven’t fought under jiu-jitsu rules.”

Maia clarified his acceptance of the Diaz grappling match was on the condition that the UFC approved the bout. Both fighters are under contract with the MMA promotion, with Maia currently pushing for a title shot.

But the Brazilian submission ace said the offer never got to the point where the UFC had to get involved.

“We don’t know what happened,” Maia said. “They just said that (Diaz) is not fighting. We didn’t talk with anyone in his camp; we just talked with the guys at Metamoris, and they just said not now. I don’t know the reasons, but if I had the opportunity, it would be good – if it fits with my schedule, my UFC schedule, which for me is the most important thing.”

“I want to fight with somebody who takes me to the title if I win,” he said. “I think that makes more sense would be Woodley, or Matt Brown; he’s tied with me near the rankings, and Woodley also. That’s the fights that would make more sense, but if I can choose today, I would say I want to fight for the title.”

LINK: Why Demian Maia won’t be grappling Nick Diaz at Metamoris

 

[tang]

That sux. Would have been hell of a jujitsu match

 

[ThatOneDude]

Oh, they are paying people again?

 

[Wild]

That sux. Would have been hell of a jujitsu match

Indeed. Would be fun to see Nick compete in something like this.

 

[maurice]

Don't be scared, homie.

 

[member 603]

In the past I know that Nick has turned down matches like this against sport BJJ stars who were trying to break into MMA saying that he didn't want to be a stepping stone for them (I believe it was the proposed match with Braulio Estima a few years back). Damian not only fights in the UFC, but is contending for a title in the division where people are trying to get Nick to fight for a title.... I can see why they don't want this match to happen right now. If Nick loses, then maybe Maia as a title competitor starts looking more appealing in the UFC's eyes (even though sport BJJ and MMA are COMPLETELY different monsters.)

 

[Super Dave]

I feel like it's been a while since the last Metamoris. Really enjoy their events and anxious to see who they get for the next one

 

[1372]

In the past I know that Nick has turned down matches like this against sport BJJ stars who were trying to break into MMA saying that he didn't want to be a stepping stone for them (I believe it was the proposed match with Braulio Estima a few years back). Damian not only fights in the UFC, but is contending for a title in the division where people are trying to get Nick to fight for a title.... I can see why they don't want this match to happen right now. If Nick loses, then maybe Maia as a title competitor starts looking more appealing in the UFC's eyes (even though sport BJJ and MMA are COMPLETELY different monsters.)

I still invite the boys into the showers regardless.

No homo.

 

[lueVelvet]

In the past I know that Nick has turned down matches like this against sport BJJ stars who were trying to break into MMA saying that he didn't want to be a stepping stone for them (I believe it was the proposed match with Braulio Estima a few years back). Damian not only fights in the UFC, but is contending for a title in the division where people are trying to get Nick to fight for a title.... I can see why they don't want this match to happen right now. If Nick loses, then maybe Maia as a title competitor starts looking more appealing in the UFC's eyes (even though sport BJJ and MMA are COMPLETELY different monsters.)

They probably couldn't offer Diaz enough money.

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

In the past I know that Nick has turned down matches like this against sport BJJ stars who were trying to break into MMA saying that he didn't want to be a stepping stone for them (I believe it was the proposed match with Braulio Estima a few years back).

That logic only works if you announce it before the event. When you no show, leave the tournament in a lynch, and then down the road use that line of reasoning, it doesn't really count.