KJ Noons stripped of EliteXC Lightweight title?

EliteXC has big plans for its Oct. 4 appearance on CBS. With stars Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson and Gina Carano already contracted for the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. card, the next piece of the puzzle should be a 160-pound title rematch between champion KJ Noons (7-2) and Nick Diaz (18-7).

But EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw today told MMAjunkie.com the organization has hit a roadblock in securing Noons' services for the evening.

"I'm sitting here and I'm drinking from a carton of milk right now," Shaw said. "And the EliteXC lightweight champion KJ Noons' face is on the back of this milk carton because he's missing in action. I can't seem to find him."

Shaw said he's been attempting to reach out to Noons in order to finalize plans for the rematch. Those attempts have thus far been unsuccessful.

In the original Oct. 2007 bout, Noons was crowned EliteXC's first-ever lightweight champion after forcing a stoppage due to Diaz's multiple facial cuts.

"When [Noons' camp] wants to track us down and tell us how Nick Diaz isn't the right fight for them -- or they want more money, or they want this out of their contract, or this and that -- they're easy to get a hold of," Shaw said. "But to actually make the fight? Impossible.

"We like to think that KJ Noons is a true champion, a true mixed martial artist. He realizes the opportunity that he's been given that other MMA fighters haven't been given -- the opportunity to be showcased on national television, the opportunities for championships, the money he's already making. We expect him to honor the contract he signed and to fight Nick Diaz, the No. 1 contender. The only contender right now. The leading contender for KJ Noons."

Shaw said he believes EliteXC has been more than supportive of Noons during his time under the ProElite banner. After the organization's commitment to Noons following a Feb. 2007 knockout loss to Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett, Shaw is perplexed by the delay on Noons' behalf to commit to the bout with Diaz.

"Since day one [Noons' manager] Mark Dion has been insinuating that EliteXC has been out to get KJ Noons," Shaw said. "I just can't figure that out. When a guy appears on the very first card -- and the very first fight gets knocked out in the very first round off the very first punch -- and we're there to hold his hand and pick him back up and put him right back on television in a main event on ShoXC?

"And then when he's 1-1, get him right back into a main event situation for the world championship against Nick Diaz, the legend who beat Gomi, how are you going to say that we're not trying to help your kid? What more opportunity could we give the kid?"

Shaw said he supports Noons as a champion but believes his management has made decisions that have led to the current concerns.

"We will not be held hostage by their camp," Shaw said. "Maybe the problem with his camp is it's called City Boxing. They think that they can manage a career like a boxer.

"I come from the boxing world and these are two totally different careers. These contracts are totally different. Fighters in boxing fight on a per-fight basis. [Noons] already has a deal that states what he's going to make. And when you sign that, you already know what you're going to make in your fourth fight. So we expect you to honor that."

Shaw explained that the apparent disagreement over wages was unsubstantiated.

"[Noons] is earning in his next fight about $23,000 to show," Shaw said. "That to me is already more than any fighter who has under 10 fights is making. He's highly paid."

While the full reason for Noons hesitation to commit to the bout with Diaz is unknown, Shaw claimed that any difficulties in booking the bout fall squarely on Noons' camp.

"There's a spot for KJ Noons to face Nick Diaz on the Oct 4. card," Shaw said. "If this fight doesn't go off then this a textbook case in business law of harbor. It would be called the KJ Noons case. It will be the biggest mismanagement of an athlete's career you will ever see. This is a chance to maximize his exposure right now."

MMAjunkie.com spoke with both Noons and Dion regarding Shaw's comments. Both declined to comment at this time.

EliteXC officials have distributed a fight agreement and set a deadline for EliteXC 160-pound champion KJ Noons (7-2) to accept an Oct. 4 title fight with challenger Nick Diaz (18-7).

EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw contacted MMAjunkie.com late Wednesday to discuss the deadline that the organization set.

"A bout agreement has been sent to KJ Noons," Shaw said. "He has until 5 (p.m. PT Thursday) to accept it, or he can face public opinion."

That public opinion has already been decidedly mixed since MMAjunkie.com reported Noons' unwillingness to commit to the bout earlier today. Shaw claims he has been unable to contact Noons' camp but hinted that the fighter may be unhappy with his contracted pay.

Messages MMAjunkie.com left with Noons and his manager, Mark Dion, to discuss the deadline weren't immediately returned.

When contacted earlier in the day about the fight, both individuals declined to comment.

In their original Oct. 2007 bout, Noons was crowned EliteXC's first-ever lightweight champion after forcing a TKO stoppage due to Diaz's multiple facial cuts.

With the clock ticking for 160-pound champion KJ Noons' EliteXC-issued 5 p.m. PT deadline to sign a bout agreement to face Nick Diaz on an Oct. 4 CBS broadcast, the situation appears at an impasse.

Noons' manager Mark Dion today told MMAjunkie.com he is unconcerned with EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw's demands.

"The update on [the deadline] is nothing is going to happen with it," Dion said. "That's what's going to happen with that. I don't care about how many threats [Shaw] wants to pull. We'll be doing a press conference if EliteXC doesn't see the light here pretty soon and if Shaw doesn't stop talking [expletive]."

While Shaw has claimed he's been unable to reach Noons or Dion -- while also hinting that Noons and Dion may have issues with his contract and pay -- Dion said the sticking point is the choice of opponent.

"As far as Nick Diaz, he's not the No. 1 contender out there," Dion said. "To [EliteXC] he is. He's the number one (for getting) eyeballs to (watch) them. They're pushing on eyeballs versus a career move for a champion like KJ. KJ is really not the one who gets anything out of the fight. Diaz does and so does ProElite."

Dion said if the situation between Noons and EliteXC does not improve, he will hold a press conference to bring the particulars of the debate to light.

"We'll do a press conference to discuss everything," Dion said. "But there's nothing in it for KJ unless [EliteXC] finally wakes up a little bit. That's why we'll have a press conference. I don't like to talk and beat a company that's already beat down. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully they'll see the light."

Dion insisted that in Noons' fight for widespread recognition, the champion only wants to fight the best EliteXC can possibly offer.

"I would think Eddie Alvarez is the No. 1 contender," Dion said. "He's definitely ranked higher than Nick Diaz. KJ already beat Nick Diaz."

While Alvarez is currently unavailable due to taking personal time off, Dion does not feel that is reason to arrange a rematch with Diaz.

"Eddie Alvarez is getting married, but that's not our problem," Dion said. "People get married in five or 10 minutes."

Detractors of Dion have pointed out that it was the City Boxing owner's negotiating tactics that kept former client Brandon Vera out of the UFC for nearly a year. Dion counters by explaining that situation resulted in a huge windfall for Vera.

"Look at Brandon Vera," Dion said. "He had a long layoff, but he's making more money than the No. 1 ranked [expletive] fighter in the world, Anderson Silva -- or the same amount.

"And now Anderson Silva is getting Bud Light sponsorships from (UFC President) Dana (White) handed down to him. He's getting to fight at 205 (pounds). He's kind of telling them what he wants to do. Why? Because you got people like Brandon Vera, who's on a losing streak and not performing, making more money than the most valuable guy.

"Who do you think negotiated that [expletive] contract a year and a half ago? And if you look at my Post-it, the one I negotiated was a $7 million deal for four years. It's nothing close to [$100,000] and [$100,000] (as a win bonus). As far as trying to bring in the Mark Dion negatives and stuff, good luck. Show me any negatives on it. And that's just a pitch [EliteXC] can use. But hey, I know my [expletive]. I've been around this sport a long, long time."

In the end, Dion insists it is important for observers to realize his role in the negotiation process.

"I don't bend over for nobody, and I don't let my fighters do it," Dion said. "I'm not a booking agent. I don't book my fighters and schmooze deals to work for the promoters. I work for my fighters."

And Dion has a message for anyone watching closely as Shaw's deadline nears.

"Forget 5 o'clock," Dion said. "I ain't waiting until 5 o'clock. If [EliteXC officials] are holding their breath, then someone's going to pass out."

The very-public feud between EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw and 160-pound champion KJ Noons' manager Mark Dion has now led to the official cancellation of the proposed bout for EliteXC's October return to CBS.

Shaw today informed MMAjunkie.com of EliteXC's decision.

"KJ Noons versus Nick Diaz is definitely not happening on Oct. 4," Shaw said.

Shaw said the cancellation was unfortunate, but he believes the burden does not lie with Noons. Instead, Shaw believes Dion is to blame.

"I still believe KJ Noons can defend his title," Shaw said. "I still believe KJ Noons is a man of honor. He comes from a great family, a fighting family. He's a great kid. He's a great athlete. I think he's just being mismanaged right now."

Dion recently told MMAjunkie.com that by refusing to accept the bout with Diaz he was merely acting in Noons' best interest. Shaw strongly disagreed.

"[Negotiating] is the manager's fiduciary responsibility for the fighter," Shaw said. "But it's also the manager's responsibility to get his fighter to take the right fights that lead him to financial gains, and it's up to the manager to make sure that he has the fighter understand how EliteXC feels about him. Otherwise the manager is painting whatever picture he wants to paint. And in this case, this manager -- his 15 minutes of fame is costing his client his career."

And while Dion has promised to bring forth full details of the dispute in a perhaps-forthcoming press conference, Shaw is unconcerned.

"I don't really have to say much because Mark Dion said pretty much everything for me," Shaw said. "In fact I wish just saying 'hi' ... would make Mark Dion have his press conference. I will be the first one there in the first row because I need a good laugh. There's not many good sit-coms on anymore, and I need a good half-hour laugh."

Dion has claimed that Noons has little to gain in a second bout with Diaz, the man whom Noons defeated to win EliteXC's first-ever lightweight belt. Shaw finds that claim laughable.

"So according to Mark, the opportunity to be on CBS doesn't help him, does it?" Shaw asked. "Then Mark needs to tell that to the winners of 'American Idol' or 'Survivor.' Or even the losers of those shows who have all blasted into the stratosphere.

"He needs to say that to any competitor or athlete who has had an opportunity to be showcased on national television. You think Michael Phelps would be on Sports Illustrated, on Wheaties boxes, would be the No. 1 Google search? You think that would happen if he didn't have the platform of network television to be showcased on? He would just be another swimmer winning awards."

In addition to the cancellation of the proposed bout, EliteXC also elected to extend the length of Noons' contract. While Shaw would not disclose the exact length of the extension, the move limits any options Noons and Dion might seek outside of the organization.

"We have already sent a letter," Shaw said. "It doesn't extend for fights. It just extends for time. With that and time off for injury following the first Nick Diaz fight, pull up that chair if you're not willing to fight."

Shaw also took offense to Dion's claims to MMAjunkie.com that he was simply holding Noons out for a bout with Eddie Alvarez. While Noons' camp has stated it believes Alvarez to be EliteXC's true No. 1 contender, he is currently unavailable due to his impending marriage. Shaw said that shouldn't push back the fight too long, as, "People get married in five or 10 minutes."

"I think Mark Dion owes an apology to Eddie Alvarez," Shaw said. "I think he owes an apology to every human being out there at this point.

"You want to say Eddie Alvarez is the No. 1 contender? Fine. Do I think Eddie Alvarez is a great fighter? One-hundred percent. Do I think he's worthy of a title challenge? One-hundred percent. Does he make great fights? One-hundred percent.

"Unfortunately Eddie is not available at this time due to recovering from an injury and also due to the fact that he is getting married, and he is going on a honeymoon. Sorry, Mark Dion. It doesn't take five to 10 minutes. It takes five to 10 days. And sometimes it takes longer than that.

"It's marital bliss, and the guy deserves that. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And your selfish ass is not going to get in the way of that."

When asked whether or not Noons would be stripped of his title, Shaw said that EliteXC was "not prepared" to make a decision about the belt at this time.

While the conclusion of the feud between Shaw and Dion seems to be far from over, Shaw offered a message of support for Noons.

"I think you're a champion," Shaw said. "I don't think you're scared of Nick Diaz. I would like you to prove that to the world -- that you are the champion that we believe you are.

"EliteXC 100 percent believes that you can win this fight. We 100 percent believe Nick Diaz can win the fight. We 100 percent believe that together you make a spectacular fight."

"KJ Noons, please wake up and smell that beautiful Hawaiian coffee. We want you to fight. We believe in you. Believe in yourself, and defend this belt."