MMAWeekly's Twitter page from the UFC's press conference call yesterday revealed some interesting tidbits about Nate Diaz pre-UFN.  He did not make an appearance at the conference call as was expected, and his coach Cesar Gracie indicated that not only was Diaz "cranky" from the cut, but that his future may not lie in the 155 pound division.

"Just talked to Cesar Gracie. He said Nate's not doing a conference call with a guy he's fighting. Nate 'just doesn't do that.'"

"Cesar Gracie says 155 'might not be good' for Nate in the future. Says Diaz is in the middle of weight cutting and very cranky."

Considering Nate's "normal" personality, which may be described as just a tad bit abrasive, I cannot fathom what a bubbly joy and warm source of positive energy he must be when he's officially "cranky".  This is actually rather significant news as one starts to ponder Nate Diaz and his chances at welterweight in the UFC, and whether or not he may enjoy the same success his big brother Nick did when venturing into heavier territory. The standard reaction is incredulity towards a jump in weight being a succesful maneuver considering how Nate was somewhat bullied around the cage at 155 in his last two losses, and even Pellegrino and Neer manhandled him fairly well despite Nate emerging victorious.  I don't think either Diaz fights with a concerned sense of power, as neither are powerful wrestlers, but more subscribed to the "water" philosophy of martial arts taught by the great Bruce Lee.  “Be formless… shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle; it becomes the bottle. You put it into a teapot; it becomes the teapot. Water can flow, and it can crash. Be water, my friend…” Unfortunately for that analogy, Bruce Lee never had to win over 3 judges making checks on a ten-point score card in 3 short rounds.  Let's hope this news doesn't affect Nate's conditioning or performance come fight-time tomorrow.

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