Diaz lands nationally broadcast fight in Stockton

Stockton's Nick Diaz gets to step onto a national stage right in his own backyard.

The 6-foot, 170-pound lightweight will face Thomas "Wildman" Denny in the Elite Xtreme Combat "Saturday Night Fights" series on July 26 at Stockton Arena.

CBS will begin a nationwide broadcast at 9 p.m. and also showcase a middleweight title match between Robbie Lawler and Elk Grove's Scott Smith.

Tickets for the event range from $35-$700 and can be purchased at the Stockton Arena box office Tuesday-Friday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) and Saturday (Noon-4 p.m.), by phone at (866) 373-7088 or online at stocktontickets.com.

The first live fight begins at 3:15 p.m., but a four-bout, two hour broadcast on CBS starts later and is preceeded by a three-fight, one-hour live telecast on SHOWTIME at 8 p.m.

The first Elite XC event broadcast by CBS in May had an enormour appeal across the board. On average, 4.7 million viewers stayed tuned in and the broadcast peaked at 6.5 million.

Diaz (17-7, 9 KOs, 5 submissions, 3 decisions), who has been victorious in his last two matches, most recently defeated Muhsin Corbbey at Elite XC - The Return of the King at 3:59 in the third round by TKO (punches).

Denny (26-16), who sports a red mohawk, fights out of Hesperia, Calif. and won his last bout after Malaipet Team Diamond was disqaulified at the 4:51 mark in the first round at Elite XC - ShoXC in March.

A former Tokay High student, Diaz now trains and holds classes at Pacific Coast Martial Arts in Stockton.

Phone calls placed to Diaz were not returned.