Hello Gents, if you dont think this is PURELY about MONEY, then you are mistaken.
Think... Dana said that Carlos wants to fight again before GSP. Who? Ellenberger, IF he beats Diego. Most people don't even know who Ellenberger is.
PPV sales drive these guys to higher paydays and HELLO...why are they fighting? Pride- yes. Because they love it- yes. Would they do it for free? Probably, yes. But do you think these guys aren't driven to make MORE money for doing the same thing- putting everything on the line, risking injury, a loss and the chance to fight GSP? just think about it.
Also, what happens if Diego/Ellenberger beats Carlos? Then fans are even MORE pissed. GSP vs. Diego/Ellenberger? Yuck.
I'm 100% certain that the meeting with Dana went like this:
Dana- "Carlos, if you fight Nick your payday goes up to $xxxxxx.xx and you have the chance to shut everyone up. It's the same risk as fighting anyone else, so why not get more money and have the chance to beat Nick again? Plus, if he does beat you, then we have a tie-breaker match worth EVEN MORE $$$"
Carlos- "Yes Daddy, where do I sign?"