You won't find many people who think Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz is a better mixed martial artist than UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre. But Diaz thinks he's better than GSP -- and better than every other fighter in the sport as well.
Asked what he wants Japanese fans to see when he fights in Japan on Saturday, Diaz answered, "I'd like them to see that I'm the best mixed martial arts fighter pound for pound in the world."
Asked specifically if he can beat St. Pierre, Diaz answered, Yeah, I think it's a good fight for me, Georges St-Pierre." And he said that his own tenure in the UFC (Diaz went 6-4 in 10 UFC fights) could have just as easily gone the same way that St. Pierre's career has gone.
"I was actually in line to do the same stuff he did," Diaz said. "I made it to the UFC before him but I was just really young and inexperienced when I got there."
Noting that all four of his UFC losses were by decision, Diaz maintains that bad judging is the only thing standing between himself and the UFC welterweight title.
"So all those fights that I didn't win, I actually think that I won and on account of that I would have been in line to fight GSP now and I think that I would be in his position," Diaz said. "That's my opinion."
I don't know too many MMA fans who agree with that opinion, but I do believe that Diaz is the one welterweight in the world who would have the best chance of defeating St. Pierre. The UFC isn't particularly interested in signing Diaz because of the headaches he causes outside the cage, but I hope that fight happens some day -- even if I'm not quite as sold on Diaz as he is on himself.
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