Dana White says Nick Diaz ready and 'wants to fight' - but hasn't he always?
According to UFC President Dana White, Nick Diaz is ‘ready to go again’, and wants to have his comeback fight soon.
Fan favorite Nick Diaz has been out since early 2015 due to a much publicized suspension for marijuana use inside competition. With that suspension now over, one of the most talked about comebacks in MMA has taken a step towards reality.
Talking with Fox Sports, Dana White declared that Diaz ‘wants to fight’, and is ‘ready to go’. These words will be music to the ears of Nick Diaz fans around the world.
Where Diaz goes from here is another question entirely. Since his suspension, the MMA climate has changed. There has been different champions and contenders. Fighters are no longer allowed their own sponsorships, and the UFC has been sold to new owners.
Yet, it would be wrong to say Nick Diaz has been distant throughout these shifts. In truth, he has not been separate from the action. His name has never been far from the lips and fingertips of the MMA media. Speculation about who he might fight next has been regular. And his refusal to rest on his laurels, despite his disciplinary action, has brought him a new legion of fans. Nick Diaz is a marijuana smoker. Nevada, deal with it.
But the most significant change experienced in the Diaz world, is the ascent of little brother Nate. Side by side, he has watched his little brother rise into colloquial stardom. No longer is Nate Diaz a ‘fan’s fighter’. And for the first time in their careers, Nate is arguably more famous than Nick.
But this has allowed Nick’s popularity to increase too. The eyes on his brother inadvertently brought eyes to him. Truthfully, who thinks of a Diaz brother without immediately thinking of the other?
None of those changes should affect Nick Diaz’ fighting.
With everything that has happened, it feels a very long time ago since Nick mocked Anderson Silva at UFC 183. It’s even longer since Nick Diaz won – 2011 was the last time he had his hand raised.
5 years since he ‘won’ a fight. Yet all the rumours of opponents are BIG names. From George St-Pierre to Conor McGregor, and the one which makes the most sense, Robbie Lawler. The reason for that? Well, his resume and skills are a factor. A significant one. But it is that immense popularity which will swing things in his favour.
Dana White knows the scale of the Diaz brother fanbase. He might have a hard time admitting it, but he finally knows. Whether he understands it or not is a different matter.
He will get a big fight. All that’s left to settle – a date, and an opponent. We can only speculate until further information emerges. And the looming raincloud of the ridiculous and unfair NSAC fine is still problematic.
Nick Diaz is 33 years old, with all his faculties and skills in check. White said Nick is ‘ready to fight’, but isn’t he always? No matter how far the UFC moves forward, fans will still need a Diaz. Win or lose, in most people’s eyes, they’re always beating the game.
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