Originally posted by: mabrown45
Date: September 08, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/nick-diaz-did-skip-a-fight-before.41908/
Scott Coker: Nick Diaz vs. Jay Hieron Strikeforce title fight could happen by year's end
by Dann Stupp on Aug 16, 2009 at 12:20 pm ET
Although skipping a mandatory drug test cost the fighter a welterweight title shot and a spot on this past Saturday's "Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg" card, Nick Diaz could still get a shot at the belt by year's end.
That's according to Strikeforce CEO and co-founder Scott Coker, who discussed the Diaz situation following Saturday's Showtime-broadcast event.
If and when licensed by the California State Athletic Commission, Diaz (20-7) is expected to fight for the title against his originally scheduled opponent, Jay Hieron (18-4).
Just a week before Hieron, who said he recently signed his deal with Strikeforce (and turned down an offer from the UFC) largely because of the promised title fight, was set to meet Diaz, who skipped a mandatory drug test and was knocked off the card. Hieron went from a fighting for the title on the televised main card to a meeting with Jesse Taylor, who took the fight on just a week's notice, on the un-aired preliminary card.
The move cost Hieron sponsor money and valuable exposure.
"It was stressful," Hieron said after his unanimous-decision win over Taylor. "I was lying to myself saying it's doesn't bother me.
"Of course, that was a deciding factor for me to go with Strikeforce – for Nick Diaz and the title fight. But that didn't happen."
But it could.
According to Coker, Diaz and his manager, Cesar Gracie, are already planning to meet with the California State Athletic Commission to resolve the situation.
"We had a conversation with Cesar Gracie about the Nick Diaz situation, so I feel very comfortable Nick will be back shortly," Coker said. "I think he's going to meet with the athletic commission, get that all worked out, and hopefully we'll see Nick back here before the end of the year."
Will Diaz be punished by the organization and lose his shot at the belt? Or is the Diaz vs. Hieron title fight still the plan?
"Jay Hieron came here to fight Nick Diaz, so we will put that fight together," Coker said.
While Coker never criticized the fighter and was quick to remind reporters that Diaz is trying to rectify the situation, the fight executive did have to remind Diaz just how costly his decision was and how future lapses in judgment could affect the organization.
"Basically, I expressed my concerns and our feelings, and the feelings of Showtime, saying, 'Look, when we're promoting a main event, you have certain responsibilities to do your part because we're going to do out part," he said. "He's going to sit down with (CSAC executive) Bill Douglas and the commissioner and work something out. ... Once he's licensed and cleared – he's not even under suspension; he just never showed up for his licensing. He's not licensed yet. When he's licensed, we'll plan to fight him after his license (is given).
"[Diaz] apologized. He said, 'I'm really sorry.' He's actually a good kid."
Hieron, a former UFC, IFL and Affliction fighter, has now won six consecutive fights and eight of his past nine to garner worldwide top-10 consideration in his weight class. Diaz, a former lightweight who's hopped around the weight classes and even took a catch-weight fight with middleweight Frank Shamrock earlier this year, owns a five-fight win streak and is 9-1 since May 2006.
"I think that's a great, exciting fight," Hieron said of Diaz. "That's the fight I want. I know the fans probably want to see it, so hopefully they make that happen."
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http://mmajunkie.com/news/15870/scott-coker-nick-diaz-vs-jay-hieron-strikeforce-title-fight-could-happen-by-years-end.mma
Strikeforce CEO confirms Diaz vs. Hieron bout in jeopardy, resolution may come today
by John Morgan on Aug 10, 2009 at 2:30 pm ET
Previous reports that Nick Diaz missed a scheduled pre-fight drug screen with the California State Athletic Commission on Friday were today confirmed by Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker.
The executive confirmed the report on today's media call promoting the Aug. 15 event, "Carano vs. Cyborg," and Coker also said Diaz is currently in the process of submitting a sample to the CSAC.
Coker said he expects word from the commission on Thursday as to whether Diaz will be cleared to face Jay Hieron for Strikeforce's vacant welterweight title at the Showtime-broadcast event – though if the welterweight fails to show the bout could be scrapped today.
Diaz missed his original screen on Friday, citing his training regimen for the absence.
Coker went on state that the organization does have a back-up plan in place should Diaz be removed from the card – assuring Hieron would appear at the event – though he declined to elaborate on who would step up on short notice. Coker also would not clarify whether a potential replacement bout would still be for the organization's vacant 170-pound title.
Hieron was originally scheduled to face Paul Daley at the recently canceled "Affliction: Trilogy" event on Aug. 1. That event was scratched after headliner Josh Barnett failed a pre-fight drug screen, testing positive for anabolic steroids.
Coker said Strikeforce has booked travel plans for Diaz to make it from Stockton, Calif., to Los Angeles in time to make the CSAC's deadline of 3 p.m. PT today for testing, though he seemed less-than-certain that Diaz would make the flight.
Coker said he's been in discussion with Diaz and his manager, Cesar Gracie, and the Strikeforce executive is "hoping [Diaz] will make the right decision."
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http://mmajunkie.com/news/15796/strikeforce-ceo-confirms-diaz-vs-hieron-bout-in-jeopardy-expects-resolution-on-thursday.mma
