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Noons using Masvidal as stepping stone to Diaz

ESPN staff
June 15, 2011
KJ Noons has unfinished business with Nick Diaz © Getty Images
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KJ Noons heads into this weekend's Strikeforce lightweight encounter with Jorge Masvidal, insisting he is looking past his rival in order to get back to a trilogy-completing clash with Nick Diaz.

Noons can confirm himself as the No. 1 contender in the Strikeforce lightweight division with victory this weekend, which would set up an encounter with Gilbert Melendez.

The American views it all as a lead-up to the main event though, having won and lost to Diaz in the past. Diaz recently vacated his Strikeforce crown to fight Georges St-Pierre later this year, but Noons is convinced he can tempt him back.

"Of course I'm looking past [Masvidal]," Noons said in the Las Vegas Sun. "I want to be the champ. Who's after him? Gilbert. Who's after Gilbert? UFC belt. How come I'm not the champ right now? I should be fighting GSP.

"It's 1-1 - rubber match," Noons said of his Diaz rivalry. "After he beats GSP and I win my title, maybe we'll do something after that."

Reflecting on that unanimous decision loss to Diaz, which was Noons' last outing, the 28-year-old has a clear theory on what decided the fight.

"I fought him at his hometown on his turf at his weight class and you all know the outcome," Noons said. "You can't leave it to the judges."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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