A few years ago, the hottest rivalry in mixed martial arts was between Georges St. Pieree and Nick Diaz. The best welterweight in the UFC against the best welterweight in Strikeforce. The handsome, clean cut, respectful mainstream celebrity champion against the loudmouth from the wrong side of the tracks who had been suspended in the past for failing a drug test. Or, as Diaz saw it, the natural, hard working athlete who ate right against a guy who took steroids so he’d be stronger than everyone else and could just lie on top of his opponents.
Well, a lot has changed since St. Pierre is now on Diaz’s side. He did an interview in French with RDS (h/t and English translation thanks to MMAJunkie) where he defended Diaz. “Nick is a very charismatic, he makes a lot of attention, but it’s not someone I hate. I have no hatred toward him. Many things had been said before our fight, but it was only in sporting terms. I did not take anything personal.”
St. Pierre even went as far as outright offering to help him fight his five year suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission. He started by criticizing the severity of Diaz’s punishment:
Personally, I think five years is a lot, especially if you compare his case to Anderson Silva or other athletes who got caught cheating and received a lighter suspension. I think they wanted to use him as an example because of how colorful he is and of the attention he gets. They wanted to create a precedent similar to what has been done in Olympic sports with Marion Jones, for example. Unfortunately, it happened to fall on him, but I think everyone is entitled to a second chance.
[…]
This is a drug, yes, but I think there should be different penalties for certain products that competitors use, because then it does not really make sense. Marijuana can help a person suffering from anxiety, but it cannot make you physically stronger or more powerful, more efficient. The sanctions should not be as severe.
St. Pierre seems like he’s honestly committed to assisting Diaz in appealing the case if he can:
We need guys like him in the sport, and I hope he will return soon. If I can help in one way or another, without getting in trouble, it’ll make me happy to do so. This is someone that I like, and I wish him the best of luck.
Diaz appears to be getting help from the UFC’s law firm, so he may not need GSP’s help, but it probably can’t hurt.
