By FCF Staff
Strikeforce has announced this afternoon that it has signed welterweight champion Nick Diaz, to what the promotion has described as a “new, multi-year agreement.” No specific terms of the contract extension were given.
“I’m looking forward to continuing my career with Strikeforce,” the 27-year-old fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt was quoted saying in a press release from the promotion. “When I first got here, there weren’t a lot of great 170 pound fighters for me to fight, but that’s definitely changed. There’s a lot of really good fighters in the division now and I’m ready to fight anyone who thinks they can beat me.”
Since signing with Strikeforce in 2009, Diaz (23-7) has continued to impress, extending his winning streak to eight and laying claim to the organization’s welterweight title. In 2010, Diaz went 3-0, defeating both Japanese star Hayato Sakurai and Dream champion Marius Zaromskis in the first round, before scoring a unanimous decision win over KJ Noons in October.
In his first two Strikeforce appearances last year, Diaz stopped Frank Shamrock and submitted Scott Smith in April and June respectively.
The outspoken and highly regarded fighter has lost just once since 2006; in November, 2007, Diaz was retired by ringside physicians due to cuts he incurred while facing the aforementioned Noons.
Diaz is scheduled to defend his Strikeforce title against Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos on January 29th in San Jose, California.
