Coker Will Discuss Diaz Boxing, But Plans on More MMA

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Since stopping Paul Daley on April 9 in an entertaining Strikeforce welterweight title defense, Nick Diaz has sounded more interested in boxing than fighting MMA.

His trainer, Cesar Gracie, has even mentioned first Fernando Vargas and most recently Jeff Lacy as possible opponents. However, Strikeforce promoter Scott Coker doesn’t seem as far along in the process as Diaz’s camp.

“That’s something where we’re going to have a conversation with Cesar and Nick,” Coker said Monday during a “Savage Dog Show” interview. “I know Nick’s always wanted to box. … We’ll see what happens in the future, but we’re expecting Nick to fight back in the cage before the end of the year. He’s going to be busy. We’re going to keep him on a busy schedule.”

Diaz has complained publicly about his pay. He’s also given his opinion that there’s a lack of quality opponents for him in Strikeforce and he’s expressed uncertainty whether he has a future in MMA.

Coker pointed to Tyron Woodley as a worthy challenger. A two-time All-American wrestler at the University of Missouri, he is 6-0 in Strikeforce.

“Tyron Woodley has been bugging me all weekend,” Coker said. “Nick doesn’t feel like he has anybody left to fight, but ‘T-Wood’ is a guy that’s getting better and better. I think Nick fighting ‘T-Wood’ is probably his best wrestling test to date. I don’t think Nick’s fought a wrestler that has better skills in wrestling than Tyron. That’s a fight we’re definitely looking at.”

Listen to the full interview (beginning at 1:09:55).