.



Soon, he might become its biggest star.



That may sound a bit illogical right now, but excuse me, I've spent the whole week absorbing the philosophies of the 209's most famous export, and I'm sold. Illogical is the new normal.



. But that could change.





Diaz's allure is two-fold. In the cage, he's a tremendously skilled athlete with unshakeable belief in his skills and unbreakable stamina. Outside of it, he is a fascinating subject with a unique world view and an inability to hold back from saying what is truly on his mind.



.



No matter how well he fought -- and he went 11-1 with 1 no contest since the start of 2007 -- the perception existed that he was cleaning up in the B leagues. Now back in the UFC, that argument is no longer valid.



to a draw. On Saturday, Penn, could do little with Diaz, especially after the first round. According to FightMetric, Diaz out-struck Penn by an overwhelming total of 218-58 in the last two rounds. He also bloodied and bruised him in a way we've rarely seen.



Diaz also may benefit from his own counter-culture behavior. Polarizing is always good. Many sports superstars are loved and hated in equal measures, including LeBron James and Tiger Woods. Diaz isn't a bad guy, he's just a different breed. Like all great athletes, he is intensely driven. He doesn't have a chip on his shoulder; he has a boulder.



that cost him a title match and led to a matchup with Penn that he didn't especially want. The switch angered Diaz, but it also helped raise his profile. People who supported him rallied around him. And those who didn't know much about him invariably spent time trying to to learn more about him and whether he was self-destructing or simply didn't play by anyone else's rules.



By the time the UFC 137 conference call came about, and Diaz was late, he had become such a story that he was a worldwide trending topic on Twitter. And by the time his fight with Penn came about, certainly nearly anyone with any hint of interest in MMA had his interest piqued.



"He blew up out of nowhere," UFC president Dana White said. "Part of it is his attitude, but I think people love a real fighter. He's definitely a real fighter."



Diaz's words and actions are so magnetic that it appears there's no one he can't pull into his forcefield. After beating Penn, he hung out bait for welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre.



"I don't think Georges was hurt," Diaz said. "I think he was scared."



Grid View UFC 137 Photos Francis Carmont def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Francis Carmont def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Francis Carmont def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Francis Carmont def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Clifford Starks def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Clifford Starks def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Clifford Starks def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Clifford Starks def. Dustin Jacoby via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Brandon Vera and Eliot Marshall applaud one another after their fight at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Eliot Marshall drops Brandon Vera at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Eliot Marshall knees Brandon Vera at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Brandon Vera kicks Eliot Marshall en route to a via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Ramsey Nijem def. Danny Downes via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Bart Palaszewski def. Tyson Griffin via first-round KO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Bart Palaszewski looks at a downed Tyson Griffin at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Bart Palaszewski def. Tyson Griffin via first-round KO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Bart Palaszewski def. Tyson Griffin via first-round KO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Bart Palaszewski def. Tyson Griffin via first-round KO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Hatsu Hioki beats George Roop via split decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos George Roop throws a kick at Hatsu Hioki at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Hatsu Hioki and George Roop exchange punches at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos George Roop throws a right hand at Hatsu Hioki at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Hatsu Hioki enters for his UFC debut at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Donald Cerrone def. Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Scott Jorgensen beats Jeff Curran via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Jeff Curran clashes with Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Scott Jorgensen punches Jeff Curran at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Jeff Curran swings at Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Jeff Curran comes forward against Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Jeff Curran stares down Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Jeff Curran punches Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz hits B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz throws a left punch at B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos B.J. Penn crushes a left hand on Nick Diaz at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz throws punches at B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz attacks B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz throws a kick at B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz smashes a left hand on B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz charges forward against B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz wants B.J. Penn to engage at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos B.J. Penn hits Nick Diaz at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz connects on a left hand against B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz and B.J. Penn are ready to return to battle at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos B.J. Penn's face shows the damage done by Nick Diaz at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos "Stitch" Duran attends to B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz punches B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos B.J. Penn lands a left hand on Nick Diaz at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz taunts B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos B.J. Penn lands a left hand on Nick Diaz at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Roy Nelson def. Mirko Cro Cop via third-round TKO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Roy Nelson def. Mirko Cro Cop via third-round TKO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Roy Nelson def. Mirko Cro Cop via third-round TKO at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Roy Nelson finishes Mirko Cro Cop with punches at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Roy Nelson punches Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Roy Nelson takes a look at Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Roy Nelson traps Mirko Cro Cop at the end of the second round at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Roy Nelson charges Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Roy Nelson throws a right hand against Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Roy Nelson throws a right hand against Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz exits after making a successful UFC return against B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos B.J. Penn exits the cage after his final MMA fight at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz celebrates with his team after his unanimous decision win over B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz shouts to the camera that he won the fight at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz relaxes after his fight against B.J. Penn at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Nick Diaz raises his arms after the sound of the bell at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Cheick Kongo defeats Matt Mitrione via unanimous decision at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Matt Mitrione grabs a headlock against Cheick Kongo at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Cheick Kongo attacks the body of Matt Mitrione at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Matt Mitrione charges Cheick Kongo at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Matt Mitrione (right) throws a left hand against Cheick Kongo at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Mirko Cro Cop leaves the cage after his "farewell" fight at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Arianny Celeste holds up the round three card at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos The stage of UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Donald Cerrone celebrates with his team after beating Dennis Siver at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

UFC 137 Photos Bart Palaszewski celebrates with his team after knocking out Tyson Griffin at UFC 137 on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting





St-Pierre, who was sitting cageside, smiled and pretended his hands were shaking. But the UFC machine was already in hyperdrive.



and asking him to step aside.



Condit, stuck in a terrible situation, agreed, and White had his matchup.



To Diaz, that was hardly a reward. Even though he'd won, even though he'd been granted a title fight and a big paycheck, he seemed torn up by everything that had come before it. He characterized his own performance as "poor" and "stupid," bemoaned fighting while injured, and as has become the norm, complained about money.



If you didn't know any better, you would have thought he lost the fight.



I asked him if he took any joy in what he'd just accomplished, and he said no. I asked him if moving into a title shot and getting a big payday would make him feel any better. No, he said again. Because in his eyes, he had already earned those things. In Diaz's mind, he had to be the bad guy to get what had already been promised to him.



"The only reason I'm getting this fight is because people want to see me take an ass-whipping right about now," he said. "So, alright, great. I worked for it. I'll take my ass-whipping, I'll take my money, and I'll go home."



That may not be so true though. While Penn was the crowd favorite on Saturday, Diaz heard his fair share of cheers coming in, and he certainly got a star-like reaction upon winning. Then, he moved on to the press conference. He joined it in progress, and from the moment he walked on stage until the moment it was over 30 minutes later, not a single question was directed to any of the other five fighters on the stage.



On a night when BJ Penn and Mirko Cro Cop both said they were done fighting forever, all of the buzz was about Nick Diaz. He managed to steal headlines. He managed to steal back his title shot, too.



UFC 137 was supposed to be about Diaz vs. GSP, and it was. Just not in the way we thought. Instead of the culmination, it was just a masterful setup. Should Diaz win, stardom beckons. Because now, everyone knows who Diaz is, and everyone knows how he can fight. Whatever he says, we'll be listening. Whatever he does, we'll be watching.