Nick Diaz gives no f*cks and we love him for it

Nick Diaz has absolutely zero fucks to give these days; the fans know it, the UFC knows it, his opponents know it. That is why Diaz has achieved an enviable level of respect, appreciation, and fanfare. In a sport that has quickly seen its participants adopt the bland, non-offensive drivel that leaves questions unanswered and conversations quick to cure your insomnia Diaz stands out like a chili pepper in a bag of Skittles.  For Diaz, being real is all that matters and his inability to “play the game” as the powers behind the UFC would like only serve to endure him more to those who long to embrace a counterculture stance.

By now you have heard that Diaz gave the proverbial middle finger to the UFC by skipping out on all of his required media obligations. Similar to the Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, the mercurial Diaz has a deep rooted belief that he is paid to do a specific job, in this case fighting, and fuck all the ancillary shit that the power brokers in the game require. Both Lynch and Diaz give off a “Don’t fuck with me,” vibe but are revered by those closest to them for their unwavering loyalty to the individuals they hold dear. In today’s homogenized sports figure landscape, those who choose to march to the beat of their own drums are often put in the cross hairs.

This is why on Saturday night; Diaz will face the returning Anderson Silva bolstered by a deafening roar of loyal supporters eager to throw up a middle finger and shout, “DON’T BE SCARED HOMIE!” Diaz is a representation of those who tire of being forced to conform to corporate uniformity. Diaz is brash, vulgar, and brooding and we love him for it.