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In addition to defending their respective Strikeforce belts Saturday in San Diego, Gilbert Melendez and Nick Diaz also probably placed themselves at the top of the "Guys we want to see fight in the UFC" list.
Melendez and Diaz have each expressed a desire to compete against the UFC's best, and according to Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, those matchups will eventually happen -- although details as to when, specifically, remain vague.
For the sake of this argument, let's pretend it happened tomorrow -- but we only get one. Melendez versus Frankie Edgar or Diaz versus Georges St. Pierre? It's a tough call, but if I only get one, give me Diaz and St. Pierre.
For starters, the welterweight division is more in need of a big fight. At 155, champions from both organizations have options. Edgar has a tough fight against Gray Maynard in May, and after that, the line is long -- Jim Miller, Anthony Pettis, Melvin Guillard, Dennis Siver, etc.
For Melendez, a rubber match with Josh Thomson is an intriguing fight and one that, stylistically, we know produces entertaining results. At welterweight, fewer matchups exist for the two champions. Diaz's next defense will likely be against Tyron Woodley, a talented prospect, yes, but one who would benefit from another year's experience.
For St. Pierre, Jake Shields is a great test later this month, but should he win, then what? Carlos Condit? Dong Hyun Kim? B.J. Penn again? Jon Fitch again? I guess.
The timing seems more appropriate for the welterweight matchup, too. Combined, Diaz and St. Pierre have defended the belt eight times. Melendez and Edgar combine for four, one of which came by a draw. The biggest reason I'd want to see one over the other, though, is that a fight between Diaz and St. Pierre raises some fascinating questions. Would Diaz be the guy to finally push St. Pierre into a fight? Prefight trash talk hasn't seemed to work, but what about when it happens in the cage? And what if Diaz managed to impose his boxing early? Could we finally see St. Pierre uncomfortable?
Final thought: Even though St. Pierre has gone the distance in his last three fights, they were all basically over by the second round. If Diaz has shown anything, it's that even if he's in trouble, the fight ain't ever over. That, in itself, makes this matchup a must-see.
Melendez and Diaz have each expressed a desire to compete against the UFC's best, and according to Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, those matchups will eventually happen -- although details as to when, specifically, remain vague.
For the sake of this argument, let's pretend it happened tomorrow -- but we only get one. Melendez versus Frankie Edgar or Diaz versus Georges St. Pierre? It's a tough call, but if I only get one, give me Diaz and St. Pierre.
For starters, the welterweight division is more in need of a big fight. At 155, champions from both organizations have options. Edgar has a tough fight against Gray Maynard in May, and after that, the line is long -- Jim Miller, Anthony Pettis, Melvin Guillard, Dennis Siver, etc.
For Melendez, a rubber match with Josh Thomson is an intriguing fight and one that, stylistically, we know produces entertaining results. At welterweight, fewer matchups exist for the two champions. Diaz's next defense will likely be against Tyron Woodley, a talented prospect, yes, but one who would benefit from another year's experience.
For St. Pierre, Jake Shields is a great test later this month, but should he win, then what? Carlos Condit? Dong Hyun Kim? B.J. Penn again? Jon Fitch again? I guess.
The timing seems more appropriate for the welterweight matchup, too. Combined, Diaz and St. Pierre have defended the belt eight times. Melendez and Edgar combine for four, one of which came by a draw. The biggest reason I'd want to see one over the other, though, is that a fight between Diaz and St. Pierre raises some fascinating questions. Would Diaz be the guy to finally push St. Pierre into a fight? Prefight trash talk hasn't seemed to work, but what about when it happens in the cage? And what if Diaz managed to impose his boxing early? Could we finally see St. Pierre uncomfortable?
Final thought: Even though St. Pierre has gone the distance in his last three fights, they were all basically over by the second round. If Diaz has shown anything, it's that even if he's in trouble, the fight ain't ever over. That, in itself, makes this matchup a must-see.
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