Obviously, the UFC knows that, because UFC President Dana White announced after UFC 137 that Diaz-GSP is happening next. This is a great development for those of us who think GSP has grown too comfortable over the last couple of years. Stylistically, Diaz is the welterweight who can give St. Pierre the most problems: Diaz's high-volume striking style could frustrate St. Pierre in much the same way it frustrated Penn on Saturday night, and Diaz is good enough off his back that St. Pierre won't be able to simply take him down and dominate him on the ground.
Diaz was smart to call out St. Pierre immediately following the fight, accusing St. Pierre of being scared to fight him. The reality, of course, is that St. Pierre is a tremendous fighter who wouldn't be afraid of anyone, but it worked: UFC announcer Joe Rogan reported that St. Pierre was begging White after the fight to let him get a shot at Diaz, and before the night was over White made the call that Diaz would get the title shot.
The only reason not to book GSP vs. Diaz right now is that it would be unfair to Condit, who had been promised the next shot at the welterweight belt. White said Condit "agreed to step aside," although I'm guessing White didn't give Condit much choice. Condit has been nothing but a great fighter in the cage and a classy guy outside the cage, and it's a shame that giving Diaz the next fight essentially means punishing Condit even though Condit did nothing wrong.
But those are the breaks of the fight game. The UFC needs to make the best fights, and right now the best welterweight fight it can make is Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz.
in the Pride Open Weight Grand Prix more than five years ago. For Penn, I think he'll reconsider: He's only 32 and can still compete with the best in the world at both lightweight and welterweight.
's arm bar in the closing seconds of their preliminary fight. If Vera had lost to Marshall, he almost certainly would have been cut, but his unanimous decision victory will earn him another fight inside the Octagon. Vera suffered a serious enough arm injury that he wasn't able to have his hand raised, but he gutted out a tough win.
featherweight champion Joe Warren, who was in the corner of Scott Jorgensen, and good for the UFC's production people for showing Warren talking to Jorgensen between rounds. The easier thing for the UFC to do would simply be to pretend that Bellator doesn't exist, but it's to the UFC's credit that they're willing to mention fighters from other promotions.
UFC 137 Quotes -- "Oh, my God, it's a dream come true. ... I think I broke both my hands, but it was so worth it." -- Bart Palaszewski after knocking out Tyson Griffin.
-- "Even though we are in a tough situation, Japanese MMA is not dead." -- Hatsu Hioki after his split-decision win over George Roop.
Good Call -- I love that one judge gave Ramsey Nijem a 30-25 scorecard in his unanimous decision victory over Danny Downes. Nijem completely dominated the fight, and Downes did next to nothing, and giving Nijem a couple of 10-8 rounds was completely appropriate. We don't see 10-8 rounds as often as we should, and we hardly ever see 30-25 scorecards at all. Kudos to the judge (whose name wasn't read) who recognized how thoroughly Nijem had whipped Downes.
UFC 137 Photos
Francis Carmont def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Francis Carmont def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Francis Carmont def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Francis Carmont def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Clifford Starks def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Clifford Starks def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Clifford Starks def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Clifford Starks def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Brandon Vera and Eliot Marshall applaud one another after their fight at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Eliot Marshall drops Brandon Vera at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Eliot Marshall knees Brandon Vera at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Brandon Vera kicks Eliot Marshall en route to a via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Bart Palaszewski def. Tyson Griffin via first-round KO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Bart Palaszewski looks at a downed Tyson Griffin at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Bart Palaszewski def. Tyson Griffin via first-round KO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Bart Palaszewski def. Tyson Griffin via first-round KO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Bart Palaszewski def. Tyson Griffin via first-round KO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Hatsu Hioki beats George Roop via split decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
George Roop throws a kick at Hatsu Hioki at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Hatsu Hioki and George Roop exchange punches at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
George Roop throws a right hand at Hatsu Hioki at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Hatsu Hioki enters for his UFC debut at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Scott Jorgensen beats Jeff Curran via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Jeff Curran clashes with Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Scott Jorgensen punches Jeff Curran at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Jeff Curran swings at Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Jeff Curran comes forward against Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Jeff Curran stares down Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Jeff Curran punches Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz hits B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz throws a left punch at B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
B.J. Penn crushes a left hand on Nick Diaz at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz throws punches at B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz attacks B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz throws a kick at B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz smashes a left hand on B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz charges forward against B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz wants B.J. Penn to engage at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
B.J. Penn hits Nick Diaz at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz connects on a left hand against B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz and B.J. Penn are ready to return to battle at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
B.J. Penn's face shows the damage done by Nick Diaz at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
"Stitch" Duran attends to B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz punches B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
B.J. Penn lands a left hand on Nick Diaz at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz taunts B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
B.J. Penn lands a left hand on Nick Diaz at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson def. Mirko Cro Cop via third-round TKO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson def. Mirko Cro Cop via third-round TKO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson def. Mirko Cro Cop via third-round TKO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson finishes Mirko Cro Cop with punches at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson punches Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson takes a look at Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson traps Mirko Cro Cop at the end of the second round at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson charges Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson throws a right hand against Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Roy Nelson throws a right hand against Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz exits after making a successful UFC return against B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
B.J. Penn exits the cage after his final MMA fight at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz celebrates with his team after his unanimous decision win over B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz shouts to the camera that he won the fight at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz relaxes after his fight against B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Nick Diaz raises his arms after the sound of the bell at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Cheick Kongo defeats Matt Mitrione via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Matt Mitrione grabs a headlock against Cheick Kongo at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Cheick Kongo attacks the body of Matt Mitrione at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Matt Mitrione charges Cheick Kongo at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Matt Mitrione (right) throws a left hand against Cheick Kongo at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Mirko Cro Cop leaves the cage after his "farewell" fight at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Arianny Celeste holds up the round three card at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
The stage of UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Donald Cerrone celebrates with his team after beating Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 137 Photos
Bart Palaszewski celebrates with his team after knocking out Tyson Griffin at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Bad Call -- In hindsight, the decision to get the card started with Dustin Jacoby vs. Clifford Starks was a mistake: The two fighters were making their UFC debuts, both men looked nervous and tentative, and it turned out to be a thoroughly dull 15-minute affair. Starks won 30-27 on all three judges' cards and did just enough to earn another UFC fight, while Jacoby will surely be cut. This was not a good fight at all, and it got the night off to a terribly slow start.
Stock Up -- Donald Cerrone is now 4-0 in the UFC in 2011, and he said after beating Dennis Siver that he's hoping to get a fight in December. If he gets that fight and wins it, a 5-0 calendar year would be a truly extraordinary achievement -- that hardly ever happens in the modern UFC.
Stock Down -- Tyson Griffin is a fan favorite who's won the Fight of the Night award five times in his UFC career, but he probably doesn't have a place on the UFC roster after his knockout loss to Bart Palaszewski. Griffin moved down to featherweight because he lost three in a row at lightweight. Now he has a loss at featherweight -- and he failed to make weight for this one. He'd be a natural fit for Bellator.
Fight I Want To See Next Nick Diaz vs. Georges St. Pierre. Dana White made the right decision to make it happen.