“Diaz (both of them actually) have pulled wins out of fights where they appeared to be getting outclassed many times.”

I agree, though it may not have seemed that way from my comment. Another reason why nobody likes DKOs.

i wonder if Noons ever thought about that.

And a champion should take on all comers, thats what a champion does, he proves he is the best time and again, against anyone.

Anderson Silva is begging dana for fights, he will fight even non – title fights out of his weight class. He is a true champion, noons is merely a talented fighter in a good position wasting his talent, just like so many athletes before him.

He is going into boxing…. didnt he get KOed by CraZyHorSe?

Diaz (both of them actually) have pulled wins out of fights where they appeared to be getting outclassed many times. Gomi beat the hell out of Nick before Nick slapped on that gogo. I think a lot of fans want to see a rematch because we believe Nick could have won a fight that went the distance, and I for one think doctor stoppage is the least decisive way to win a fight. I want to see what would really have happened. And Nick’s plastic surgery is very promising in terms of how he might fare in the rematch.

Noons did not cut Diaz, he reopened prior scar tissue, the doctor at ringside was a idoit as is anyone who thinks Noons was domanting Nick Diaz.

Simple fact of the matter is Noons is not and will never be in Diaz’s league anyone who believe other wise should have thier eyes checked and possiable mental exam.

Fair point and I can see where you’re coming from and I would agree with everything YOU just said if this wasn’t a title fight we’re talking about.

I think that when you become champion of a particular promotion that your *first* duty is to either a) agree to defend the title against whomever the promotion deems the top contender or b) relinquish the title if you are unable or unwilling to defend.

The bottom line for me is this: Noons outclassed Diaz the first time, but the fans (well, this fan anyway!) want to see a rematch because nobody likes doctor stoppage TKOs, just like they don’t like fights going to decision. They’re anticlimatic. Noons has every right to decline this fight for whatever reason, legitimate or borne out of his or Dion’s ass. If he does decline the fight, he should not keep the strap. Case closed.

Also, from EliteXC’s position (devil’s advocate), it’s not in their interests to allow Noons to hand pick his opponents especially if his windbag manager is making noises about Noons attempting to jump ship to another promotion.

KJ has some really, really good hand speed and power. He won the first fight against Diaz hands down. I wasn’t expecting him to win either but he put on quite a show that night. Come October, it will have been almost a year since they’ve fought. It would be a good time to see them against each other again. Maybe all KJ and his team really want is a bigger “to-show” purse to make it worth their while in case he were to lose? I don’t know? I really hope this matter between Noons, his management and EXC can be resloved swiftly.

That’s a good point (Noons has already beaten Diaz). The problem is that “Joe Public” has no idea who Noons is, not to mention that he has a previous win over his opponent. It seems to me that he has far more to gain in mainstream noteriety than he may lose in defeat to a formidable opponent. His career can be greatly advanced with a high profile win on network television as opposed to minimal career damage if he loses in exciting fashion.

I would agree with your position 100% if we were talking about a UFC champion. But we’re not. Elite XC has a limited number of legitimate top level fighters. I happen to think that Noons is one of them. He is already able to promote himself as having beat Diaz. Who really cares if he beat him once or twice? If I’m in Noons’ position I’m saying to myself “if EliteXC folds, it would be nice to have wins over Diaz AND Alvarez”. Imagine being able to go to the UFC looking for a contract and saying “I’ve beat the guy that beat Gomi AND I beat the guy that should have won the DREAM tourney”.

Noons needs to look out for himself as a fighter and not just do whatever EliteXC wants. Last I checked fighters had to AGREE to their bouts. Now, if EliteXC wants to release Noons because of this I’m sure there would be a number of other suitors.

I do agree with your comments about Dion though. What he did with Vera was ridiculous.

I think, quite frankly, that when you are champion those considerations aren’t really your business as a fighter. Isn’t the goal of fighting to take the title? I can understand fighters lower on the ladder arguing for better competition so they can move toward title contention but once you’re there it’s no longer up to you. You are the company’s champion and, as champion, you are obliged to defend your position at the top of the heap against whomever the company deems the top contender.

Noons is doing himself no favours by either allowing or collaborating with Dion on this media blackout and snubbing EliteXC. As champion, Noons needs to man up, sign the contract, give Diaz another beating and move on. A spectacular win against a legitimate, marketable and game opponent will do more for his career than this “can’t hear you, nyah nyah” nonsense that’s going on.

Also, can we please ban Mark Dion from managing anyone else in the sport who has talent? Thanks.

I know who Noons is because i follow pretty much most of the MMA out there…..But Joe Blow who watches the CBS show doesn’t know or care about him. If EXC put out a card that didn’t include him i dont think anyone would care. As long as Kimbo and Gina are on that card it will pretty much be a success.

EliteXC needs to have Diaz fight Alvarez for the number one contender spot. With a win over Diaz, Alvarez suddenyl becomes a very marketable guy in the U.S.