Nate Diaz is not impressed with UFC President Dana White’s excuse for removing him from the Official UFC Lightweight rankings. On Wednesday night’s episode of UFC Tonight on FOX Sports 1, White tried to explain their reasoning for his removal:
“Everyone is talking about Nate Diaz being removed and so has T.J. Grant, for inactivity. Early on we let Dominick Cruz hold the title for as long as we did. But it’s unfair for the guys who are staying active. When you have a guy like T.J. Grant and they have an injury, that’s pretty serious so they get dropped, but when they come back, they’ll get added back. The same for Diaz — he’s not taking any fights and we’re not sure when he will. When he comes back, he’ll be ranked again.”
Inactivity? Really? That’s their excuse? C’mon. Everyone knows better than that.
Look at Gray Maynard — Nate Diaz stopped him via first round TKO on Nov. 30 of last year. That was Diaz’s last fight — 6 months ago. Guess who else last fought on Nov. 30 of last year? That’s right, Gray Maynard. And guess where he’s ranked… number eight.
Diaz himself posted the following on Instagram today with the words, “@UFC Lol this is inactivity”:
In case you haven’t figured it out, the photo is a screen capture of Lightweight champion Anthony Pettis‘ most recent fights. He hasn’t fought since he won the title in August 2013.
Here’s another one for you… Dominick Cruz. Remember him? He’s the former Bantamweight champ, who hasn’t fought since Oct. 2011 — and guess where he’s ranked on the UFC’s official 135-pound rankings? He’s at number nine.
So, as you can see, White’s explanation makes no real sense.
Wanna know what makes sense as to why Nate Diaz is no longer on the UFC rankings? It’s most likely because the TUF 5 winner has not been “playing ball” as they say. Back in February, on the heels of his teammate Gilbert Melendez signing a new contract with the UFC, Diaz asked to be released from the organization via Twitter.
Diaz then did an interview last month in which he stated, “I don’t get paid sh*t and I’m about to tell the world,” and went on to explain his frustrations over money and how he feels the UFC “conned” him into signing an eight-fight contract.
Are these relevant reasons to remove someone from the “official” UFC rankings, because there are contract disputes and fighters are speaking out publicly? I guess it’s the golden rule — he who holds the gold, makes the rules. It never seems to work out good for fighters’ long-term relationship with the UFC though when they start down this path, but does that mean they shouldn’t speak out?
That’s just not the Diaz brothers’ way is it? That’s why they have the fan base they do. They ain’t no beeeetches.
Thoughts?
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