While the bad blood between Nick Diaz and K.J. Noons seems to be on the decline, it still boils between Diaz and Jason “Mayhem” Miller.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) learned that Diaz and Miller nearly came to blows backstage following Saturday night’s “Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons 2” event and had to be separated by Showtime officials.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said Diaz needs rest following a unanimous decision victory over K.J. Noons in this past Saturday’s event, but he’s not opposed to a grudge match between the welterweight champion and “Bully Beatdown” host.

According to a source who witnessed the scene, Diaz and Miller locked eyes while passing each other in the hallway between the dressing rooms and the pressroom as the post-event press conference took place. Words were exchanged, and Diaz allegedly threw a water bottle at Miller. The two were immediately broken up by members of their respective camps and Showtime officials.

A Showtime official later confirmed the incident with MMAjunkie.com but downplayed its significance.

Coker reacted with surprise when told of the near-scuffle following the press conference. While he pointed to a different path for Diaz during the meeting – Diaz could meet either the winner of a Dec. 4 bout between Scott Smith and Paul Daley or perhaps Brazilian brawler Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos – he isn’t opposed to having the rivals settle their score inside the Strikeforce cage.

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