While Nate Diaz has decided to step into the boxing ring, his brother Nick Diaz is making his comeback in the UFC. The fighter from Stockton, California has been away for a while. However, UFC CEO, Dana White casually dropped something during his UFC Abu Dhabi fight announcement that left the entire world in shock.
Dana White recently took to X to announce the fight card for UFC Abu Dhaba. During the announcement, the UFC CEO dropped something unexpected for the bout’s co-main event.
In the five round co-main event, Nick Diaz is returning to the welterweight division to fight number fourteen ranked Vicente Luque in what is certain to be an absolute war.
Dana White on X
Nick Diaz has been away from the UFC octagon for almost three years now. The UFC icon has maintained an aura which has reflected in the positive response from fans towards the excitement for this fight. Meanwhile, his last fight against Robbie Lawler in 2021 at UFC 266 was his final showdown up until now.
It is interesting to note that Nick Diaz is 40 years old. He has not won a fight in the UFC since beating BJ Penn at UFC 137 back in 2011. We can only imagine what Joe Rogan‘s reaction would be like to this exciting piece of information.
Nick Diaz’s performance against Robbie Lawler at UFC 266
Coming back from a three-year hiatus is a big deal, especially as a 40-year-old fighter. So how did Nick Diaz fight in his previous fights? Well, as it turns out the Stockton fighter reportedly fought at UFC 266 after six years of absence from competition.
Nick Diaz lost against Robbie Lawler at UFC 266 (Image via X)Did that long absence affect his performance in the octagon? As anybody looking at the fight would say, it did. Diaz was nowhere near the Strikeforce champion he was. Their fight lasted three rounds. However, Lawler began putting pressure on Diaz at the beginning of the third round.
September 25, 2021 – UFC 266 – Victim #19 Nick Diaz
This was special for MMA fans as Nick was back from a 6 year suspension for smoking the devils lettuce
Robbie doesn’t take it easy on him as he had lost his last 4 out 5 and wins via TKO in the 3rd
Cool fight between legends pic.twitter.com/I0eEPNJGvP
— The Octagon Obsessed (@octagonobsessed) July 3, 2023
A minute into the round he put Diaz down but refused to grapple with him. So Lawler walked away from Diaz but the then 38-year-old Nick Diaz refused to get up. Thus, the referee had to stop the fight and declare Lawler as the winner via TKO.
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