DIAZ VS SHAMROCK: IS IT WORTH IT?
DIAZ VS SHAMROCK: IS IT WORTH IT?
By John Gagne
Recently announced is a bout between Frank Shamrock and Nick Diaz. What is the point? Despite the fact that Frank beat Nick’s instructor Caesar Gracie, there is little to no reason for this fight. Frank should be more concerned about fighting guys in his division, and solidifying himself as a legend. Not as a guy who will fight anyone, whether it hurts or helps his career.
What if Nick beats Frank? Is that a big win for Nick or a huge loss for Frank? At this point it’s really hard to tell whom this bout would affect more, win or lose. To me it would appear that Frank is the one out of the two that has the most to lose. If Frank losses to Nick the next fight would be a tune up for a Cung Le rematch. Strikeforce would have to give him some one credible, so that fans wouldn’t think he was just handed the shot.
Now if Frank beats Nick, it is a great start on the road back to the Strikeforce Middle Weight Title. I just feel that Strikeforce should be looking for talent that is in each fighters respected division. Not having these “Superfights” at a catch weight. This fight being at 179lbs, which should favor Nick since he probably walks around at that already. I do not understand why Strikeforce is not trying to get a rematch with Noons, or another top guy in that weight class who is not under UFC contract. In the manner of Frank there are plenty of guys at 185 that Strikeforce could find to match up against Shamrock.
Marketing wise I can kind of see the relevance. The event will take place in San Jose, CA where Shamrock trains and resides. This location is also close to Nick Diaz in Stockton, CA, where Nick trains and resides. The numbers for this event should be huge, pending nothing happen to either fighter. I still feel they could bring an equal draw if they matched up each fighter against someone in their weight classes.
From a betting perspective the bookmakers are going to have a difficult time coming up with odds in this fight. I saw Frank is the favorite right off the bat. Although Nick is not a huge underdog, I do still see him as a slight one. My guess for the odds would be Frank Shamrock -210 Nick Diaz +200.