In a highly anticipated announcement, UFC legend Nick Diaz has confirmed his return to the octagon for a five-round welterweight bout against Vicente Luque.
The match is set to take place as the co-main event at UFC Abu Dhabi on August 3. This surprising comeback follows Diaz’s prolonged absence from the sport, stirring excitement and speculation among fans and analysts alike.
A Shocking Comeback
The announcement of Diaz’s return caught many off guard, as it was widely believed that he had retired following his fight at UFC 266 against Robbie Lawler.
Since losing a title shot to Georges St-Pierre in 2013, Diaz has only fought twice. He faced Anderson Silva at UFC 183, which initially ended in a unanimous decision victory for Silva but was later overturned when Silva tested positive for banned substances.
Diaz also tested positive for elevated marijuana metabolites in that fight. Diaz has not secured a victory since defeating B.J. Penn at UFC 137 in 2011.
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UFC Abu Dhabi Lineup
In addition to Diaz’s comeback fight, Dana White revealed several other exciting matchups for UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi on August 3.
The card will feature:
– Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (Main Event)
– Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera
– Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez
– Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa
Nick Diaz’s bout against Vicente Luque will be the co-main event, and it being a five-round fight, will likely favor the UFC and Strikeforce veteran.
Main Event and Notable Fights
Umar Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) will face Cory Sandhagen (17-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) in the main event of UFC Fight Night at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
This bout was initially scheduled for last August as the main event for UFC on ESPN 50, but Nurmagomedov had to withdraw due to a shoulder injury. Tony Ferguson is moving up to welterweight to face Michael Chiesa in what could be his final UFC fight after a series of losses.
Marlon Vera aims to bounce back after his defeat to Sean O’Malley at UFC 299, while Mackenzie Dern is looking to return to winning form against rising star Loopy Godinez.
Diaz’s Return to the Octagon
Nick Diaz recently hinted at a comeback, stating, “Somebody is gonna pay very soon,” in an Instagram post featuring a video of him training.
Despite this, many remain skeptical about the Stockton legend’s return. Diaz appeared out of shape before UFC 266, leading to his fight with Robbie Lawler being moved from welterweight to middleweight.
The bout ended unexpectedly in the third round when Diaz, known for his toughness, dropped to the floor and refused to continue, prompting the referee to call off the fight. Since then, Diaz hasn’t fought, and having recently turned 40, fans assumed the former Strikeforce champion had retired for good.
Nevertheless, Diaz remains an MMA icon and pioneer, boasting a Hall of Fame career with notable victories over BJ Penn, Paul Daley, and Frank Shamrock.
The Road Ahead
As Nick Diaz prepares to return, the MMA community eagerly anticipates his performance against Vicente Luque.
This comeback fight not only marks a significant moment in Diaz’s storied career but also adds a layer of excitement to the already stacked UFC Abu Dhabi card. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Diaz can recapture the magic that made him a legend in the sport.
The information is taken from ABC News and Yahoo Sports
