ThaiSpider

source mma weekley


Following a week-long roller coaster ride, UFC and Pride veteran Nick Diaz finally made his way to Japan late last week to compete under the Dream banner.

He had been scheduled to fight on the promotion’s April 29 event, but his proposed opponent, Marcello Garcia, declined the fight. Dream promptly rescheduled Diaz for its May 11 event against former welterweight King of Pancrase Katsuya Inoue.

The problem arose when officials at ProElite, whom Diaz has a contract with, determined that the May 11 date was too close to its June 14 event where Diaz was also scheduled to compete. They pulled him from the fight.

As the deadline for the event neared, there was a change of heart within the ProElite organization and Diaz was finally granted permission to fight. He arrived in Japan just two days prior to the fight, but he made weight, made his to the arena, and made his way into Dream’s first welterweight championship bout.

“It took a long time for this fight to be set, and so I had a problem losing weight and that affected my performance,” said Diaz after the fight. “But I'm happy to win, and if they told me I had to get to (lightweight), I would do it.”

Diaz battered Inoue with his relentless striking game, finishing him off when Inoue’s corner had seen enough punishment dished out to the fighter and threw in the towel.

The bout was a welterweight title eliminator, so Diaz now moves on to the championship bout to face popular Japanese fighter Hayato “Mach” Sakurai. Despite any difficulties that he had to overcome, he is happy to move on.

“I am looking forward to my next fight against Sakurai for the welterweight championship!" expressed an elated Diaz.

The bout is expected to take place on July 21 at DREAM.5 in Osaka, Japan.


Im glad nick is going to get a title shot in dream because the dude just dosent get much love from most fans but it would be good to see a badboy champion for a change lol anyways discuss.

ToeZup

Good stuff. I can't wait to see him fight in DREAM. That venue is shaping up lovely.
I'm glad we get to be a part of it here in the states.

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mma17

So will the winner of the LW grand prix and the MW grand prix be the DREAM champions?

ThaiSpider

yeah i think they get the tournement belt and the title also i saw a pic of the belts on mmaweekly yesterday i think.

ThaiSpider

6249-01_BeltsDream3Press.jpg

there they are the belts.

kilik

Diaz vs Sakaurai will be a great fight. Good to see Diaz getting some love now as the CSAC messed with him.

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DJ Syko

Looks like things are getting better and better for the Diaz brothers.
i hope nick wins the belt which i think he will, then challenges the the LW champion and wins that as well.

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The Legend

I think Nick can take this, I am not sure how though at the moment.

Lightfall

Hayato, pleaaase go back to lightweight where you were an elite, you are not nearly the nigh-unstoppable force you used to be, at Welterweight.

kamikaze145

ooooooh, nick diaz vs. Sakurai. sounds cool.

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