Is it possible for the Nick Diaz/GSP drama just stop already? No? Alright, that’s fine, because I haven’t been this fascinated by pure drama since highschool. This is absolutely incredible. Today, in a somewhat shocking turn of events, Nick Diaz’s lawyer has made it known that he plans on filing a complaint against the Quebec Athletic Commission stemming from the fallout of a sketchy situation that developed on video in which Nick Diaz was given the information that the decimal point in the weigh-ins wouldn’t be acknowledged moments before stepping on the scale. That video was posted by Diaz documenting the interaction with a UFC PR guy has been taken off Youtube multiple times by Zuffa, and now it’s raising a stink all over the place. With the UFC, with the QUebec Athletic Commission, with everyone. Title shots must be on the dot as far as weight. For example, GSP needed to be 170. not 170.9, nothing. Now Diaz wants a rematch and/or for GSP to drop his belt. Read this from Diaz’s lawyer:
The Quebec Commission’s statement is a disappointing admission that the March 16 event was not conducted under the rules applicable to a UFC title fight – or under the rules the fighters contractually agreed to, upon which rules Mr. Diaz was entitled to rely under his bout agreement.
Section 168 of the Regulation respecting combat sports (http://www2.
publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc. ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge. php?type=2&file=%2F%2FS_3_1% 2FS3_1R11_A.htm) provides that the maximum weight that a fighter must achieve at the official weigh-in shall be determined in advance by contract – and if the fighter does not make the contracted weight – in this case 170 pounds – then 20% of his purse or “the contestant’s remuneration” will be deducted and paid to his opponent (subsections (7) and (8)). The contracted weight for this fight was 170 pounds. 170.9 is not 170, anywhere in the world, for a title fight. There is no question what “170 pounds” means, in the bout agreement, as a matter of contractual interpretation.
The Quebec Commission deliberately relaxed the rule in this case and, by its own admission, allowed their home-town fighter to “make weight” even if he weighed more than the contracted weight.
The Commission’s statement that their Regulation “does not take decimals into account” is bizarre and untrue. Section 74 of the Regulation provides that at an official weigh-in, “[t]he scale shall have graduated readings at each 100 g (3.6 oz) and shall be certified by Measurement Canada.” There would be no need to have graduated readings at each 100 g if the Commission “does not take decimals into account”.
Furthermore, section 77 of the Regulation provides: “At an official weigh-in, no time shall be granted to a contestant to enable him to increase or decrease his weight.” It appears that here too, the Commission was prepared to relax this rule at the last minute in favour of Mr. St-Pierre.
Further serious irregularities including, inter alia, the Quebec Commission’s failure to supervise fighters’ provision of samples in connection with testing for Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods (under sections 71.1 to 71.6 of the Regulation), will be set out in an official complaint that will be filed imminently.
In the circumstances, Mr. St-Pierre remains legally and ethically obligated to fight Mr. Diaz at 170 pounds or else vacate the belt in favor of those prepared to fight at welterweight.
-Jonathan Tweedale
GSP’s coach, weighed-in (pardon the pun) on the situation:
“GSP made weight and he had his shorts on.”
“I was told the decimal didn’t count, so we didn’t worry about it.,” Zahabi said via email earlier today. “I don’t see even .9 making a difference in a fight, so I didn’t give it any thought.”
Is this hometown favoritism, an overblown argument, or something more sinister?
