For most athletes, winning the title in their chosen sport is the ultimate goal. The years of sacrifice, the toll placed on their body from constant training, all becomes worth it when you get to wear the belt or raise the cup. In some sports, title shots are solely based on records. The teams with the most wins get in to the playoffs. Players advance in tournaments and in the playoffs by beating other teams. In the world of mixed martial arts, however, title shots are often a product of politics and matchmaking more than the actual record of wins and losses.

Earlier this year, the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Georges St-Pierre defeated his latest challenger, Jake Shields, to retain the UFC welterweight title. Around the same time, the parent company of the UFC purchased the #2 mixed martial arts organization, StrikeForce. When looking around for GSP’s next opponent, the fans started clamoring for a match between GSP and the then StrikeForce welterweight champion Nick Diaz. The last few GSP fights were “boring” and went all 5 rounds, and the fans were sure Diaz was the man to step up, challenge GSP, and actually have a shot at taking his title.

Suffice it to say that because of other preexisting obligations between StrikeForce and its partners, a lot of dealing had to be done to make the match happen. In addition to being a StrikeForce champion, Diaz was set to undertake a boxing career, as well. But the UFC folks jumped through the hoops they need to in order to give the fans what they wanted, and the deal was done. Diaz vacated his title in StrikeForce for a shot at the UFC title, which to most MMA fans represents the pinnacle organization with the elite athletes in the MMA world. A StrikeForce title is great, but a UFC title is the ultimate prize. After an earlier sordid stint in the UFC years before, Diaz was back, and getting that title shot.

Or so it seemed.

Earlier this week, Dana White, President of the UFC, announced that Nick Diaz was pulled from his title fight against GSP. It turns out that Diaz wasn’t showing up for pre-fight obligations…press conferences and the like. While White said that he felt Diaz couldn’t handle the pressure of such a major event. That might be partially true, but I feel that it is more likely that Diaz feels entitled to this opportunity instead of being grateful for it. In StrikeForce, se’s defended his title a few times, and both maintained a “bad boy” persona, which embarrassingly showcased itself in a post-fight brawl in the ring that included Diaz, his brother, and another teammate, going at it against another MMA fighter he was being interviewed inside the ring. And now, the fans were calling for him to fight GSP. The fans wanted him. The UFC needed him. He was in charge, and he could do whatever he wanted, including not following through with his pre-fight commitments. After all, the UFC didn’t have a choice. If they wanted to give the fans what they wanted, they would have to bend to his demands.

Except the UFC did have a choice. History shows that no matter what, the UFC always hold the upper hand. So Diaz was out and, instead, they set up another fighter to take the title shot. That fighter, Carlos Condit, had to call Dana back when he heard the news. He was so overcome with emotion, he started crying and called back 15 minutes later when he was able to compose himself.

I’m pretty sure that Condit is going to be grateful for this opportunity, because he knows he may never have another shot at the title. I’m pretty sure Condit is going to show up for all the press conferences. I’m pretty sure he will represent himself and the UFC with the utmost respect and class. I’m pretty sure he’s going to present as much of a challenge to GSP and Diaz would have. But in the end, I feel like the better person is getting the shot. It’s nice to see humility and gratitude rewarded and cockiness and egotism punished.

Let’s hope it starts a trend.