NICK DIAZ NEEDS TO "PLAY THE GAME"

[complete]

NICK DIAZ NEEDS TO "PLAY THE GAME"
Friday, February 05, 2010 - by Damon Martin - MMAWeekly.com

When Nick Diaz knocked out Marius Zaromskis last weekend the questions immediately started to come up about the welterweight's future and if a UFC return could ever happen.

The Gracie trained fighter competed in the UFC for several years, but left and signed on with EliteXC and then Strikeforce, where he has come to be considered among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.

UFC president Dana White commented on Diaz's recent performance and had nothing but compliments for the California native.

"I like Nick Diaz very much, and I’ve said this many times, if Nick Diaz would just play the game even this much... but Nick Diaz refuses to play the game," White said. "He’s anti-the game."

So what exactly does White mean when he says 'play the game'?

" Listen, you have certain rules and guidelines, and last time Nick Diaz was in the UFC he got in a fist fight in the hospital with the guy that he fought here," he said, referring to Diaz's fight against Joe Riggs in 2006. "You can’t do that kind of stuff. The kid is very talented and he probably should be in the UFC, but that kind of stuff has got to stop."

Nick's younger brother, Nate, has been a mainstay in the UFC over the last few years. White maintains a good relationship with the elder Diaz, and doesn't close the door to working together again.

"I have a great relationship with Nate and I have a good relationship with Nick," he stated. "It’s not like I hate Nick Diaz. I talk to Nick Diaz every time I see him. Every time I see him he’s a good kid, but it’s the stuff after and the stuff away from the Octagon that’s stopping Nick. So everybody has to play the game at least this much."

Diaz is still currently awaiting Strikeforce's decision as to whom he will face next. The Gracie jiu-jitsu black belt could potentially face Japanese fighter Hayato "Mach" Sakurai or Jay Hieron at some point this year.