Cesar Gracie, the manager and trainer of Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz, has confirmed that his fighter wants UFC welterweight champion, Georges St-Pierre next, adding Diaz needs a challenge that will motivate him.
Gracie, speaking via MMAWeekly.com, said:
“Nick wants that fight. He would love to take that fight. Obviously, I would like to put another one of my guys against Georges St-Pierre, so we definitely want that fight.”
“It’s no secret Nick was a little bit burnt out. He needs a bigger challenge. No disrespect to the guys he’s been fighting because each one of them has brought something to the table. Paul Daley hits really hard, good hands, very dangerous opponent. (Evangelista) Cyborg, great kicks, dangerous opponent. K.J. Noons really good boxing also, dangerous, and Nick beat them all at their strengths. It’s definitely something Nick wants to motivate him even more. I think he kind of needs that, I really do.”
“It’d be great, best case scenario for us would be Nick boxes and then he goes and fights GSP. But again, the person with the answer, the guys that have the answers to all of this and can make everything happen is Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana White. I feel pretty good about that fight as far as Nick having the chance to take care of business and bring the belt home back to the U.S. and Northern California.”