EliteXC Sets Deadline For Noons To Accept Diaz Fight
EliteXC, the promotion that seems to be perpetually hanging by a thread, has reportedly been chomping at the bit to get lightweight champion KJ Noons back in the cage against everyone’s favorite challenger, Nick Diaz. EliteXC really needs to make a big ratings splash with their October show, and what better way to do that than feature arguably the most anticipated match in EliteXC’s short history. It seems the problem, however, is that KJ’s representation has supplied nothing but roadblocks and frustration for Jared Shaw and company.
From MMA Weekly:
“His (Diaz) recent wins have convinced EliteXC that his next fight should be a rematch with K.J. Noons at the Oct. 4 CBS show. However, it is still unclear if K.J.’s camp will take the fight.â€
…According to EliteXC vice president Jared Shaw, the promotion has tried to make the fight happen and wants it to happen as part of the Oct. 4 event, but to no avail.
“Nick Diaz is the No. 1 contender. K.J. Noons should step up and be the champion that we think he is and take this fight. Nick Diaz will take this fight any place, anywhere…(Noons’ management) won’t even return our calls.”
“I don’t understand it. This fight on CBS is maximum exposure and the opportunity for maximum sponsorship dollars, way more than he could make on Showtime. At this point, I question his management.â€
“…For some reason (his camp) is not coming straight out and saying no, but they are making it very difficult to make it happen. His manager doesn’t want us talking to him directly. Who knows what K.J. even knows about the situation, but his management is holding us hostage.â€
Noons has since responded to Shaw’s comments via MMA News:
“A few things will be settled over the next few days, but for now we’ll just let Jared Shaw go off on his little rants and let him have his fun, this isn’t bothering me. I just need a couple more days to get a this stuff worked out and then I will be able to say my piece and clear my name of everything that is being said and everything that is going on.”
EliteXC on Wednesday evening distributed a fight agreement to Noons for the bout against Diaz, according to MMA Junkie, with Noons having until 5pm PT Thursday to accept the bout or “face public opinion”.
I do not know if its a matter of money or if Noons really has a hesitation toward facing Diaz again, but this fight has been long overdue and it absolutely needs to take place on that crucial October 4th card. Even if EliteXC locks up Diaz for the show, pitting him against anyone other than KJ Noons just won’t bring in the kind of draw that the promotion needs to stay afloat. If it sounds like I’m making EliteXC out to be in utter desperation its because that’s pretty much the scenario. ProElite just filed their latest quarterly report, and let’s just say that things aren’t exactly on the up and up.
It looks like someone is ducking someone…..
Looks like Diaz got in his head a little bit. Then again it could be grandstanding by another Shaw. Unbelievable. Let Lawler and Diaz come back home to the UFC already.
Hell yeah Timcat!!! I watched Robby’s last fight on CBS. He was pretty good. I think he can compete in the UFC at his division but he could challenge for the WEC belt.
Diaz on the other hand has always had the talent but not the drive. I agree that he does deserve a shot at the EliteXC belt though.
Beau fury, if Diaz doesn’t deserve a title shot then who the heck does? Do you even know anyone else in the EliteXC LW division? I don’t.
This shaw dude needs beat up by Diaz after he’s been smoking weed with his brother. Let the Potheads beat him up like he’s Karo or manny. HA.
Why do I have a feeling that this might be one of the last EliteXC fights we see on CBS? Noons/Diaz is a great fight to core MMA fans, but this does not attract the guy who is sitting at home wondering if he should go see a movie or go to the bar with some friends.
SOUNDS LIKE HES SCARED… THAT AIN’T NO CHAMP
Rutdog,
I agree with you 100% Diaz and Noons are the only two I can name in the Lightweight Division for EliteXC. I never said that Diaz doesn’t deserve a shot at the title. Just that he has questionable habits that don’t always fall in line with being a champion in any division.
I don’t think Noons is scared. Why would he be? He’s already owned Diaz once and it wasn’t that long ago.
I have a funny feeling there’s something else going on here that hasn’t been reported.
Noons is a homo. I know I am in the minority being a Diaz fan but F Noons anyway. I saw him in an interview somewhere online not too long ago and he was preaching how he wants to fight the best and blah blah blah. Well Mr Noons, you are not in the UFC and therefore will not be fighting the best anytime soon. You may get some great challengers but not the “best.” If you truly want the best, fight Diaz and guys like him 2-3 times if that’s what it will take to move you up into a better promotion with the “best” fighters. Noons ran his mouth to the wrong guy(Diaz) and Diaz is the maniac hot head King of Mouths. Noons is afraid to get his ass whooped after running his mouth like a little bisnatch.
Afraid? Not a chance. Noons will own him again. I hope you all shut up about it when he does. But you won’t…at least I expect it…
I’ll shutup about Noons if he loses.
Danny,
I haven’t talked to you in a while.
How do you feel about the drastic change of Gary Shaw taking a back seat so Jared Shaw could take control? Big changes were made……
Danny,
I could see Noons winning very easily……it’s just that I dislike him and am a Diaz fan. F Noons!
Noons has good standup and Diaz has a low guard and while KJ was drilling him the last fight, If Nick could take it to the ground KJ could be in some trouble. I thought the 1st fight was stopped prematurely on a questionable cut (it honestly didnt look that bad and didnt look like it was affecting Nick’s vision. If any of you saw the fight against Gomi Nicks eye was alot worse in that fight) I think Nick changes his strategy this fight and tries to shoot more often then he did the 1st time, he wins.
I don’t think Diaz changes his strategy at all. He is too stubborn, and thinks too much of his stand up. He will only shoot if he gets desperate, imo. I see it going the same way as the last fight, Diaz’s face getting peppered all night. He won’t out box KJ. For the record, my opinion of KJ is that he is ducking this fight and he is a little whiny punk, but he still beats Diaz
I agree Diaz overestimates his striking and thinks he’s gonna out box the former boxer. I just think the only real shot he has at winning is taking him to the ground and using his BJJ.
I think KJ is ducking him too, he has no other options in of people to fight. Your the Champ he’s the clear cut #1 contender, fight him.
Diaz whips him bad in the third as the first two will be FOTY caliber.
kj by tko
Not sure why KJ is not taking the fight. He has already beaten Diaz but stoppage so I know he’s not afraid of him. Not sure what’s going on with KJ on this one.
Diaz has horrible standup. His striking is sloppy. He was out pointed by Sherk in the standup game. I think Noons beats him again, however I can see Noons not wanting to fight Diaz seeing how he recently beat him already and any time you go in after a game opponent (which for EliteXC Diaz is) then you have a chance of losing, and if EliteXC is on the verge of going under, a loss to Diaz does not help propell Noons to another orginization with a decent pay like a win against another player would be and leave the org. the champion.
If this is business on the part of Noons it’s good business
Well Brandon, that’s the problem. Noons has no one else to fight, they have no other contenders. I can see what you are saying and why he wouldn’t want to lose. But I rather possibly lose to a good fighter, than look like a b*tch and have no one want him. If he’s looking for a UFC payday someday, ducking guys aint the way to get it.
I agree with both brandon and aznstar on this one. Unfortunately, you can’t have it both ways. He’s damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t….unless he wins, of course.
Oh and KOuch… the jury is still out on Jared Shaw… let’s give him a chance before the bashing begins.
Well from what I read on MMA weekly, Noons manager said they don’t feel that Nick is the #1 contender. They are saying eddie alvarez is and that’s the fight they want. I know Eddie has fought for elitexc once before. But since he currently fights in DREAM, I don’t know what his contract looks like and if he can get out of it or if he even wants to fight for the title at all. Cause I’m sure he wants a piece of hanson. Noons Manager comes off as a real douche and is ruining whatever rep the up and coming noons has. Mark Dion (KJ’s manager) is starting to make this into a boxing situation. He’s trying to duck certain fighters to get to other fighter. Elite XC needs to make an example of him and say “you don’t want to fight the guy we have as the #1 contender? Well we are stripping you of the belt”.
Personally if I was Noons, I would be pissed at homie direspecting me in the ring the last time. And I can’t wait to get this dude in the ring and shut his mouth for good.
Diaz is like Lamatta(sp?) in Raging Bull and Noons is his Sugar Ray…Noons hasn’t had an MMA fight like what Diaz will do this next time. The cuts were an issue…WERE…Diaz has the standup to beat Noons if he can control his temper. Noons is in for a fight if he bothers to show…