Nick Diaz squares off with Vicente Luque in UFC Abu Dhabi’s feature co-main event next month (Saturday., Aug. 3, 2024). By the time the elder Diaz brother returns to active contention, it’d have been three years since his last bout. Diaz ended a six-year sabbatical when he rematched Robbie Lawler at the UFC 266 in September 2021. It turns out that the last outing is a big mark to this day.
The welterweight contender and former Strikeforce fame remained winless since 2011, when Lawler scored a third-round TKO. Along with Jongsanan Fairtex and Alex Gong at Fairtex Combat Academy, San Jose, and his affiliate Fairtex-Gracie Fight Academy, Jake Shields has also been a sparring partner of the Diaz brothers. Shields says Nick Diaz was out of camp for the entirety of the year before ending his hiatus.
He didn’t train at all for the Lawler fight, … that fight shouldn’t have happened in my opinion. Not going to get into too many details, but I wasn’t too happy. I think he was kind of pressured into that, so people could make money…Just people want to make money off of him, and he was pressured into that fight.
Jake Shields via the ‘JAXXON’ podcast
The upcoming drop to the 170-pound marks his first welterweight bout since fighting Georges St-Pierre in 2013. Luque is 1-3 (22-10-1 overall) since Diaz’s last fight. Although Shields knows Diaz is better prepping for this fight, he admitted more time would have been ideal. Especially given he was scared witless when the Stockton’s best went for a war with prepping last time around. Shields thinks he earned his mettle well enough against Robbie Lawler for two rounds.
Diaz remains dreaded for his beastly extended cardio and ability to dole out punishment. Speaking to ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto during UFC 302 Media Day, Daniel Cormier wished for Diaz to have one last dance, which he deserves. Even other peers are excited about Diaz on the UFC Fight Night 2024: Abu Dhabi card. But can the old Diaz come back and perform? Shield says he’ll push to the limit next week.
Jake Shields doesn’t know Nick Diaz’s training yet; he will join camp soon
This fight has been a long time coming for Nick Diaz. While the 40-year-old didn’t exactly pander for Vicente Luque, he wanted to return against anyone. ‘The Silent Assassin’ comes into the bout, having lost three of his last four fights. He lost via heavy ground-and-pound at the 3:17 mark of R2 to Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlantic City (UFC on ESPN 54) back in March.
Nick Diaz, Jake Shields and Vicente Luque (Source: the-sun.ie/X/IMAGO)The Team Kill Cliff FC standout does pose his challenges for a rebound Diaz. Fans and pundits had been clamoring for a square-off with Tony Ferguson, who’s on a 7-fight losing streak. A legacy fight between them could also have made sense and poured into the nostalgia. Even that needs prepping. Former Strikeforce champ, Shields pitched in on his assessment of Robbie Lawler rematch.
The fact that he fought Robbie Lawler with zero training in five years, I was freaked out watching that…He lost, but he went just two rounds — for a second, I thought he might come back and win — with no training. So, I think it shows he still has the heart, and now he’s training. I can’t say how hard, I know he’s training now. Hopefully I’ll get out there next week and push him.
Jake Shields further via the ‘JAXXON’ podcast
Even Diaz’s former head coach, Cesar Gracie, has concerns about the three-year snap against Luque. He said as much to Submission Radio, expressing concerns about an overseas camp. While Shields hasn’t trained with the brothers, he plans to get back to it in the upcoming weeks.
He told JAXXON Podcast co-hosts Bear Degidio and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson that he hopes he can push him towards a better output. One good last stand or a complete overhaul to winning ways; the MMA clique is angsty about Nick Diaz returning. As such, Shields hopes to contribute a positive impact.
