Though the pair have not fought in a while and neither has a fight on their schedule, Nick and Nate Diaz continue to make headlines. Nate was recently in the press ranting about fighter pay and about his drawing capability, while Nick is reported to have turned down a fight with Hector Lombard. The pair were both among the UFC’s top draws about two years ago, but their once appealing anti-social, anti-establishment demeanor has worn thin at times. An others wont say it, so I will, they both have had moments where they appear churlish and childlike and they have crossed the line at times to just plain dumb. Both men need to shut up and get back in the octagon as soon as possible as Nick is 30 and nate is 28, nad they are letting their prime years go by.
For Nick however, the prospective Lombard fight is a bad match-up. Lombard would likely open a favorite at the sportbooks, though the line could move when Diaz’ fans check in. Diaz has lost 2 in a row, and his return will be highly anticipated. Lombard is physically much stronger than Diaz, and his technique is strong enough that he should be able to force the action against Diaz. Boxing Diaz does not benefit Lombard, but he should be able to get Diaz floored and be able to work from top position. Diaz is capable of a submission, but they have not been there in his recent outing against Carlos Condit and Georges St Pierre.
Nate, at the very least, is coming off a win, but he needs to get back in the mix at lightweight right away. He bounced back against Gray Maynard in his last outing, but ran into the same trouble his brother did with physical opponents Josh Thomson and Benson Henderson. But arguing with the UFC about compensation and taxes in the press has once again made him seem weird and paranoid.
Both men need to realize that their time in the port is short, and that UFC President Dana White’s patience can be even shorter. Now more than ever, both brothers need to shut up and fight.