Comments on: Frank Shamrock vs. Nick Diaz set for Strikeforce’s April 11 show

By: mu_shin

mu_shin — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:49:44 +0000

Business sense says to me, take the two biggest most well known names available and promote the match most likely to help establish an emerging promotion. Josh Thompson is a good fighter, but does not have the name recognition of either Diaz or Shamrock. Same with Robbie Lawler, who is more well known among knowedgable fans, but not nearly as recognizable as Diaz or Shamrock to the casual fan. I’m a big fan of Cung Le, and I think Le/Lawler would be an excellent match-up. Last video interview I saw with Cung Le he said he had movie commitments through the first half of 2009, and then would consider options in the fight game.

By: dpk

dpk — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:41:27 +0000

@meatloaf – honestly the “meatload” in the previous post was just a typo. That isn’t how I make my points.
UFC is the top promotion, but I like Strikeforce, and the way that they operate. I really don’t see how you think Diaz v Shamrock is better than they alternatives. With Strikeforce buying EliteXC, it would make sense to have Champion v Champion matches. Diaz (I don’t think KJ was acquired, so he is the last previous EliteXC champ) v Thompson (Strikeforce 155 champ) would be great. Then I want to see Lawler (EliteXC MW champ) v Shamrock (former Strikeforce MW champ, I’d say Cung Le, but he is making movies now). It just seems like the best way to unify these weightclasses, and make some great fights .

By: meatloaf

meatloaf — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:15:35 +0000

@dpk Nice cheap shot.
It must suck when someone sees right through your obvious hate for this fight because you want everyone aside from the UFC to fail, and when someone points it out you go into attack mode with name calling.
Nice job.
By the way if you were interested in a Thomsom / Diaz fight then there’s no reason you wouldn’t want to see this. It’s a much better match up.
Also if you really think the size difference is going to be as big as you’re making it sound you don’t know a lot about these fighters, because Nick Diaz with the added weight on his taller frame is not going to look as small as Penn did against St. Pierre which was your comparison.

By: mu_shin

mu_shin — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 07:36:16 +0000

Frank Shamrock fought well in his last fight with Cung Le, at least until he got his arm broken. I watched that fight and felt like Shamrock had life left in him, had some good fights in front of him if he wanted them.

I don’t think there is any denying the both Frank and Ken Shamrock have some issues, and that their unusual take on things has affected their business opportunities in the sport of MMA.

Now Ken has signed to fight a 400 pound monster, and Frank has this fight with Nick Diaz. Whatever you might think about the Diaz personality, Nick is a serious threat in the ring, and has put down some serious competitors. Nick’s punching ability inspires some skepticism, but looking at the records, he has 10 knockouts to Shamrock’s 2.

Shamrock’s injuries over the years have been the subject of some discussion. Now, it would seem if he is healthy, and if he trains seriously with adequate training partners and dedication, he should present a real challenge for Nick Diaz.

This is exactly the kind of fight that can help Strikeforce establish itself as a legitimate promotion with strong, well known, big name fighters, and I think this will be an exciting match to watch.

By: dpk

dpk — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:42:45 +0000

@ meatload – I listed two non-ufc match-ups that I really want to see in my post. They just involve these fighters against guys who I think would give them better fights.

By: meatloaf

meatloaf — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 05:16:54 +0000

@ dpk “I have no interest in this fight.”

LOL! Some people are never happy when there’s a great non-UFC match up that a lot of other people want to see.

By: dpk

dpk — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:30:44 +0000

Didn’t we just see a Bigger GSP destroy a smaller BJ Penn. Not that Shamrock and Diaz are that good, but the size difference is comparable. this fight was made, because Frank will talk shit about Diaz, and then Diaz will flip him off and run his mouth back. I have no interest in this fight. Why are we not seeing Lawler v Shamrock, that would make alot more sense, and maybe Josh Thompson v Diaz at a 165 catch weight

By: Angry Mike

Angry Mike — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:22:58 +0000

Back when Shamrock faced off with Cung Le people questioned whether his body was up to the challenge, especially his knees. Wonder if he will be 100% physically.

By: diazdomain

diazdomain — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:23:07 +0000

To win this fight Diaz needs to be the Diaz of old. He has not been the same since he beat Gomi. He has to bring back that cocky swagger he had in UFC and Pride. All his fights in Elite XC were against guys he had much more talent than but Nick looked sluggish and tentative in those fights. It seems like the bigger the name the better he fights so I think he will give Frank a run for his money. Both guys have had a long layoff so we will see how that plays out. Plus Frank destroyed Ceasar Gracie so Nick will probably come out swinging. I say Diaz submits Shamrock and revives his career.

By: goodguy

goodguy — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:51:29 +0000

I just dropped Showtime! I think that I may have to pick up another job just so I can watch all the fights that I want to see!

By: Rich S.

Rich S. — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:39:15 +0000

Wow,
didn’t see this one coming at all..

It’ll be good..
but it really is a shame,
because Shammy’s chin and sub skills are freaking legendary so Diaz really doesn’t stand much of a chance here..

By: meatloaf

meatloaf — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:24:42 +0000

This fight is going to be great Nick was to big for lightweight that’s why Elite made up their own weight class of 160 and he wasn’t at a big strength disadvantage against Robbie Lawler so I don’t think that’s going to be a huge difference.
I mean yeah Frank is going to have a bigger frame but that’s not going to be the deciding factor. If Frank wins it’ll be because he’s better and I think he’ll win.
After this I know Frank wants to fight Tito Ortiz maybe we’ll see that fight this summer or in the fall.
Either way it goes I think both these guys are going to be big pieces for Strikeforce in the future.

By: Bryan Levick

Bryan Levick — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:18:05 +0000

This will be one hell of a test for Diaz who when he is on is very tough and ultra talented. I would imagine these two will meet somewhere between 175-180lbs. Frank will certainly have the strength and experience advantage but Diaz is as tough as anyone and will put a good fight. The biggest thing Diaz has to offer is his subs and I can not see him making Shamrock tap out. The trash talking will be epic and I am sure the fight will be exciting and will be full of non stop action.

By: Ft. Dub

Ft. Dub — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:40:09 +0000

Even though I hate Shamrock, I think he’ll wipe the floor with Diaz. Nick has the wackest pitter pat punches that won’t slow down Frank for a minute. On the ground, I just see Frank being way too strong for Nick. Should be entertaining none the less. After Diaz, bring on Lawler for Shamrock.

By: Brendhan Conlan

Brendhan Conlan — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:22:51 +0000

I was hoping Shamrock would fight Lawler. I don’t see the point of doing a bout between a guy who typically weighs 160-170 and a guy with comparable skills who has 20-30 pounds of weight on him. I mean yes, the local Cali crowd will enjoy it and I get that Diaz/Shamrock both have some mainstream name value, but I don’t see how it benefits the sport of MMA as a whole. It’s a poor man’s BJ Penn vs. Anderson Silva (and I’m saying this as a fan of Diaz, Frank Shamrock, AND Strikeforce in general).

One thing I *will* say though is that the trash-talk leading up to the fight is going to be epic in nature.

By: Meers311

Meers311 — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:59:46 +0000

I think the fight will never be able to live up to the trash talk that is going to come from these two, and I’ll enjoy every second of it. I gotta think this fight is going to be at 185lbs. Nick had trouble making 160lbs. in EliteXC, and his home is really 170lbs. so 185lbs. shouldn’t be an issue for him obviously. Nick shouldn’t try standing with Frank very long, I know his pride and ego will probably get in the way of this theory, but he should take Frank to the ground as quickly as possible.

By: Sergio Hernandez

Sergio Hernandez — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:48:15 +0000

Um… YES?!?

Now I gotta call and order Showtime!

That combined with getting basic HD service and the HD Plus tier to get HDNet AND the Digital Plus tier to get Versus, Charter is cleaning up!

It’s a pinche racket….

By: hindsightufuk

hindsightufuk — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:43:25 +0000

never would have guessed at this fight being put together!
wicked tho, love Diaz, love Shamrock, both entertaining as hell to watch
cant even begin to picture how this goes down but im looking forward to it?

By: Dayzah

Dayzah — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:40:21 +0000

Should be a good fight , I think Frank will be too strong for Nick .

Curious what weight they are gonna fight at.

By: jj

jj — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:58:08 +0000

Their styles should match up well and their trash talking abilities are both legendary. This is just the fight Strikeforce needed to make a statement with to celebrate their new acquirements. While Nick is one of my favourite fighters and someone I’m always rooting for, I think he is going to have a tough time with Frank.