Diaz Wants GSP; Price Must Be Right for ‘Mayhem’ Fight

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Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz is not scared of Jason “Mayhem” Miller, homie.

Diaz does, however, want to be compensated handsomely if he's to square off with “Mayhem” at the middleweight limit.

“I’d be happy to move up. I don't like that people say that I didn't accept the fight with Miller, because I never said anything about that. I said, if I’m going to go off track and screw with my capabilities to fight at 170 pounds, I’d like to get paid in full,” said Diaz during Thursday's Strikeforce conference call. “I’d like to have a reason for doing that. I’d like to get paid something extra -- double, triple, something crazy. I’d [even move down in weight], honestly. Offer me a big money fight at 155 pounds and I'll make it happen.”

According to Diaz, if Miller truly wants to fight him, “Mayhem” should make the same sacrifices that he makes in cutting weight.

“They were talking about making me move weight. [Miller] should get in shape and f---ing make weight like I do. It's hard enough for me to make 170 pounds. He acts like he wouldn't be able to do it. That motherf---er doesn't want to fight me. He doesn't want to work hard like me. That's the problem,” said Diaz. “So he can [either] work his ass off and make 170 or 175 pounds, or somebody can pay me a couple of f---ing million dollars, and I'll move up to 185 pounds and fight him.”

As Diaz elaborated on the subject, his tone became harsher, finally pointing out his frustration with the discrepancy between his pay and that of other world champions.

“[Manny] Pacquaio is making $40 million, [Georges St. Pierre] is making a couple million dollars, and I’m over here driving a Honda because my s--t is breaking down? F--k all you motherf---ers.”

Though many fans were disappointed that the proposed Diaz-Miller contest did not come to fruition, the champion now has another difficult task on his hands: defeat Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos. Diaz will defend his title against Santos on Jan. 29 in the main event of Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Cyborg” at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

“He's a good fighter. I expect him to train hard for this fight. He looks good at [170 pounds]. I always told people he was too small for 185. I think that this is probably a better weight for him.”

Though “Cyborg” has fought only once at 170 pounds -- a bout that ended in a brutal knockout of Marius Zaromskis in December -- Diaz believes that the Chute Boxe representative is a worthy challenger for his title.

“I think [Cyborg] is probably the best fight right now. I’ve seen his weaknesses and strengths. He's not the most technical fighter, and he's not biggest fighter,” said Diaz.

If Diaz can get by Santos, his next opponent will probably be another hard-hitter in Paul Daley. When asked about that potential matchup, however, Diaz was lukewarm. According to the Cesar Gracie product, he has another bout in mind, however implausible it may be.

“I haven't really thought about Paul Daley, to be honest,” said Diaz. “I want to fight Georges St. Pierre. I think my training partner [Jake Shields] is going to take him out. Straight up. People think this guy's better than me, and it's bulls--t.”