Dana White defends Donald Cerrone from Nate Diaz taunts

UFC lightweight Nate Diaz has not fought since a brutal TKO win over Gray Maynard in November of 2013. Diaz wants a new contract, the UFC does not appear to want to meet his demands for increased pay, and so Diaz is basically holding out by sitting out as a negotiating strategy.

UFC president Dana White has been mostly muted about Diaz' situation in recent weeks but in his weekly "Download" interview with UFC.com, White spoke up about Diaz after the Stockton fighter's recent tweet disparaging Donald Cerrone (below) - who fights in the UFC Fight Night main event tonight against Jim Miller.

Cerrone and Diaz have had a long-running feud and fought at UFC 141 back in late 2011. Diaz dominated "Cowboy" en route to a unanimous decision win.

White said Diaz is free to make his own decisions about his career but that he shouldn't bash someone like Cerrone for simply fighting often. Cerrone fought four times in 2013 and tonight's headlining bout will be the third time he's fought this year.

"Nate can do whatever he wants to do. Nate can sit out and not suck any UFC whatever, for as long as he wants to. Who cares, he's a grown man," White said.

"Sit out for as long as you want, sit out the rest of your career, it's your decision. But to start making fun of guys who actually like to fight, and guys who go out there and put on unbelievable fights and people love to see him? [Cowboy] steps up and does what he does. People love 'Cowboy' Cerrone. 

"Nate wants to talk about making money, but there's only one way to make money, and that's fighting."

What do you think of Diaz' latest tweet and White's response? Let us know in the comments section.

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