Diaz Talks Yanked UFC 137 Title Shot; Still Wants St. Pierre

Nick Diaz says he's ready to fight. | Photo: Dave Mandel

Unfortunately for Diaz, however, his opportunity at the UFC welterweight title now belongs to another.

Diaz allegedly no-showed his second-consecutive press conference on Wednesday, offering no explanation to UFC President Dana White for his absence. Not even Diaz's longtime trainer and manager Cesar Gracie could locate the reigning Strikeforce titleholder, prompting White to remove him from the UFC 137 main event against Georges St. Pierre and replace him with former WEC champion Carlos Condit.

Diaz responded to the UFC president's actions on Wednesday evening, posting a YouTube video to address the public. According to Diaz, he was returning to his hometown of Stockton, Calif., while shooting the video, as he had visited San Francisco earlier that day in an apparently unsuccessful attempt to make his flight to Las Vegas.

“The UFC wanted me to fight for the title against Georges St. Pierre, and now they're telling me that they're going to give the fight to Carlos Condit, which I think is ridiculous,” said Diaz. “Georges thinks it's a great idea, because Carlos Condit poses an even greater threat. So I guess that just leaves me out. It's funny. One second, I’m about to come into some money and do a little boxing...but now it looks like [the UFC gets] to save money, and I don't get paid, and I’m locked into a new contract. [There are] all these deal-makers making deals. All I know is I’m ready to fight.”

Diaz followed that statement by reiterating that he was still ready to challenge St. Pierre for the title, provided he still has a job, that is.

At Wednesday's press conference, White expressed uncertainty toward Diaz's future and acknowledged the possibility that the rangy southpaw could receive his walking papers in light of his unwillingness to promote the event.

While Diaz did not directly address White's comments, he did allude to the possibility of competing outside the Octagon. Prior to signing with the UFC, Diaz was rumored to square off in a pro boxing bout with former IBF super middleweight champion Jeff Lacy. According to Diaz, he's ready to scrap, one way or another.

“I'll fight whoever, whatever, anything, you know? I’d definitely rather fight [St. Pierre], of course, but I was ready to do some boxing. They didn't like that, so they got me out of [my boxing obligation], and they got me the fight with [St. Pierre],” said Diaz. “I'm sorry I didn't make it to the beauty pageant, but I’ve never not shown up to a fight. I’ve never backed out of a fight in my life. That's not what I do.”