UFC bad boy and everyone’s favourite stoner, Nick Diaz released a statement on his future yesterday evening, following his ban for using banned substances in his fight with Carlos Condit. Diaz has declared that he is looking to appeal against the NSAC (Nevada State Athletic Commission) ruling, which see’s him being out of action for 12 months. While this wasn’t surprising, as Diaz has always felt that he hasn’t done anything wrong, what was surprising is that Diaz declared that he would like to fight the Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva.

Whilst Diaz has form for calling fighters out and looking to stir up some animosity before a fight, he’s taken a big step up by calling out Silva. Silva is undefeated in the UFC, holds the record for most title defences, has fought at two different weight classes and is generally regarded by many as the best MMA fighter ever. With all due respect to Carlos Condit, Silva is a different animal altogether in comparison to Diaz’s last opponent.

In his last fight, Diaz became increasingly frustrated with Condit’s tactic of striking on the counter attack, something Anderson Silva has mastered. Diaz may feel that his style of fighting and the fact that he constantly pushes the pace would make for a good match up with Silva. I disagree, Nick Diaz likes to pepper opponents with lots of punches and wear them down, with Silva’s size and reach advantage, not to mention Silva’s matrix like ability to avoid getting hit, Diaz would be in for a hard nights work just trying to land the punches.

Diaz obviously feels that he has a chance to beat Silva, why else call for a fight with him? But, I don’t see how Diaz beats Anderson Silva, especially if the fight were to take place at Middleweight rather than a catchweight fight. At least at a catchweight, Silva would be closer in weight to Diaz come fight night, but not by much!

I think Diaz has called for this fight with Silva as he likes a challenge and that’s what Silva would be, his biggest challenge to date. He knows that Condit is waiting to fight the returning GSP, with the winner of Hendricks/Kampmann being next in line for a title shot, so his chances of getting the high profile fight with the Welterweight Champion are slim, at least for now.

So why not call out the Middleweight Champion? It gives Diaz a chance to return to the limelight, as well as offering Silva a marquee match up whilst he waits for a contender to be confirmed at Middleweight, a contender who is relevant and who Ed Soares approves of.

Ultimately I don’t think this match up will take place as Silva has too much to lose should he not get the victory, especially as Diaz is coming off a suspension and a loss in his last fight, but kudos to Diaz for trying.