EliteXC Strips KJ Noons of Title for Refusing to Fight Nick Diaz

EliteXC lightweight champion K.J. Noons has repeatedly refused to take a rematch with Nick Diaz, and as a result he's no longer the EliteXC lightweight champion.

EliteXC announced today that it has stripped Noons of the lightweight title. EliteXC Head of Fight Operations Jeremy Lappen explains:

"We are stripping KJ of his championship belt for refusing to defend against Diaz. It's a very unfortunate situation but we cannot have belt-holders who refuse to fight the top contenders. We want champions who will fight anyone, anytime, anyplace. That's the mentality all champions should have.

"I feel very bad for KJ because I like him a lot on a personal level and have always thought he could be a big star.He's charismatic, has a very exciting fighting style and is a top level fighter. So I'm obviously disappointed that he has chosen to take this stance.

"I don't understand why he would turn down a chance to be a headliner on CBS on Oct. 4. KJ then turned down the fight again when we offered him a headlining spot on our next Showtime date against Nick."

I don't understand Noons' decision, either.

If Noons had agreed to fight Diaz on CBS, the network TV exposure would have made him one of the best-known mixed martial arts fighters in the country, and that would have opened all kinds of doors to him. Instead he'll toil in obscurity.

As for the now-vacant EliteXC lightweight title, Diaz will fight an opponent to be named later for it. I think the best-case scenario would be for Eddie Alvarez, last seen fighting in the Dream lightweight tournament in Japan, to compete for it. An Alvarez-Diaz fight would be exactly the kind of thrilling fight that EliteXC needs to book if it wants to stay in business.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-20-2008 @ 1:40AM

peter p. said...

what a blow to kj and elite.......kj has made a name for himself; he can beat anyone and if he wins he may demand more than what the promotional company is willing to give..... elite has demonstrated that, elite is just another corporate bully. minimum fight wage, rigged fighter ratings and willing to stupe down to the level of its fighters...... and im not refering to kj.

9-20-2008 @ 12:07PM

pete said...

Nick Diaz is the truth! all around solid game - all you jokes step up and fight this kid or get out the game.
stop posing like you're real MMA unless you fight the best

9-20-2008 @ 12:23PM

Jared said...

I train at KJ's gym and this is so crap. The guy is an excellent fighter but he shouldnt be ducking people. CHAMPIONS dont duck people they destroy people....and people destroy them. unless your anderson silva.

9-20-2008 @ 10:06PM

pete
who are the jokes you are refering to? who has not stepped up to nick d.? and what do you mean by the
" truth "?

9-21-2008 @ 6:55PM

Derrick said...

Nick Diaz is a thug. He has no respect for the sport. He is a Gracie Black Belt in BJJ and he shows a total lack of respect for the Gracie name by his antics. I saw the fight night when Diaz won and then KJ won on the same night. I thought that Elite showed NO CLASS when they brought Diaz in the ring right after KJ won his fight. The Diaz brothers began their thug and ghetto attitudes in the ring. Gracie fighters do not act like that, they are respectful of their opponents. I do not blame KJ for not taking the fight. Good luck KJ, go fight somewhere else. Gracie Barra Texas!!!!!

9-22-2008 @ 12:51PM

Eric said...

Derrick, fighters have been talking trash for centuries. The Diaz brothers have a certain attitude that comes from their upbringing ... personally I don't fault them for that! They are incredibly tough fighters. Noons only won against Nick because of cuts, he didn't pound out Diaz or submit him (like that's possible). Nick has wins over Robbie Lawler and Takanori Gomi and deserves a rematch. A champ should fight all comers, and since Noons won't fight Diaz again he shouldn't be the Champ. Good!

9-24-2008 @ 2:11AM

Matt said...

While Nick Diaz is a good and entertaining fighter (for the most part), he is NOT the top contender in elite XC. Eddie Alvarez is the top contender and KJ Noons has said publicly that he wants to fight the TOP CONTENDER next, naming Eddie Alvarez!!! Elite XC could have set up this up, which would have been the right thing to do for thier champ and their fans. However they appear to be only a GIMICK based organization that gets off on bottom feeding. This is a good ol' fashin' standoff that went too far. Nick Diaz fought a LAME fight last and has not earned a rematch. Remember, KJ even asked the crowd what they thought and they BOOed Nick! I wish KJ would have just said F it and took it to Nick again, but I guess his principals are stronger than mine and eliteXC (Clearly). I only watch elite XC because its FREE. Mostly LAME fights.
Matt B

9-26-2008 @ 4:54PM

I agree with you ... Elite XC fights are mostly lame.

Nick has fought the much better competition in his career, and KJ was recently KOed by Crazy Horse. It is a joke of an organization, but I still think Diaz deserves a rematch.

As far as Eddie Alvarez goes, that is up to Gary Shaw and Alvarez's camp to make that fight. Diaz was offered a fight and he accepted it ... he is in no way at fault for that.