Diaz Inks Multi-Year Extension with Strikeforce

Nick Diaz: Dave Mandel | Sherdog.com

Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz isn't going anywhere.

Though rumors have persisted regarding a possible second stint with the UFC, Strikeforce today announced that Diaz has signed a multi-year extension to fight for the promotion. Details of the deal were not immediately available.

“I’m looking forward to continuing my career with Strikeforce,” said Diaz in a statement. “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.”

Diaz will defend his title for the second time on Jan. 29 as he takes on Brazilian slugger Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos. The Cesar Gracie-trained Diaz has won eight consecutive fights, most recently dismantling K.J. Noons in a rematch of their 2007 EliteXC welterweight title affair. The southpaw’s current run includes notable victories over Dream champion Marius Zaromskis, Japanese veteran Hayato “Mach” Sakurai and MMA pioneer Frank Shamrock.

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Report: Grant Inks 4-Fight Extension with UFC

T.J. Grant | Andy Cotterill/Sherdog.com

T.J. Grant is sticking around a while longer.

According to a Tuesday report by The Chronicle Herald, Grant, who had one fight left on his previous deal, has signed a new, four-fight contract with the UFC. The welterweight most recently suffered a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Renzo Gracie protégé Ricardo Almeida at UFC 124 on Dec. 11.

The Fit Plus Gym product has alternated wins and losses since joining the UFC last year. Grant debuted successfully with the promotion at UFC 100, riding out a unanimous decision over Pride Fighting Championships veteran Ryo Chonan. The Nova Scotia resident also holds victories over Kevin Burns and Julio Paulino inside the Octagon, and the former win netted him “Knockout of the Night” honors at UFC 107. Grant holds 12 of his 16 career victories by submission.

The 26-year-old has fallen to tough competition during his time with the promotion. Aside from the Almeida loss, Grant also suffered defeats against judoka Dong Hyun Kim and standout wrestler Johny Hendricks.

It is unknown what the UFC has in store for Grant in the coming year, but the fighter has expressed interest in fighting at UFC 129, the promotion's first show on Ontario soil, which goes down April 30 at the Rogers Center.

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