UFC: Five Potential Fights For Nick Diaz's Return to MMA

Nick Diaz is finally free to return to mixed martial arts action after serving a suspension and here are five UFC fights that may be offered to the Stockton native.

Not only is he one of the most beloved UFC fighters on the current roster he is also one of the worlds greatest fighters. Nick Diaz is officially allowed to fight again after serving a suspension stemming from a failed drug test last year.

The 33-year old former Strikeforce welterweight champion was last in action against future hall of fame fighter and former long-time middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 183 in January 2015. Silva won the bout via decision but both men would go onto fail post fight drug tests and the fight was deemed a no contest.

It’s been nearly two-years since Diaz stepped inside the octagon yet through out that time he has managed to stay in the hearts of fans and on the minds of fellow fighters, some of which have expressed their interest in challenging Diaz upon his return to the sport. Who would be so brave as to call out Diaz you ask? Two current UFC champions that’s who.

Diaz made it clear that he is interested in the big fights and those that include any fighters in the top end of either the welterweight or middleweight divisions. Now, ahead of his potential return to the octagon here are five fights that the long-time fan favourite may be offered or interested in.

Jul 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Robbie Lawler is introduced against Rory MacDonald (not pictured) for their welterweight title bout during UFC 189 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Lawler won via fifth round TKO. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The rematch over a decade in the making and that everyone wants to see may be as close as ever to being announced.

Nick Diaz and Robbie Lawler have both fought all around the world under some of the biggest and most well-known promotions the globe has to offer. Pride FC, Elite XC, Strikeforce and the UFC have all been a home to these magnificent modern-day gladiators.

Back in 2004 at UFC 47 when both men were at the very beginning of their respective careers they met inside the octagon in what is still a very much talked about fight. On the night it was the young man from Stockton, CA who had is hand raised thanks to one very well placed short punch that switched out Lawler’s lights.

After the meeting both men have had very long and very succesful careers. Diaz went onto be the Strikeforce welterweight champion and Lawler became the UFC’s welterweight king. For years there has been chit-chat about a potential rematch between the two and now that they have each become better versions of themselves since that April 2004 meeting that chat has increased.

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Now would be the perfect time to make this fight happen. Lawler has not been in action since losing his welterweight title to Tyron Woodley in July and has recently stated that he is ready to get back in the cage.

The statement came a few short days after it was announced that Diaz was free to fight again which go down as pure coincidence or it could mean that he is eyeing up the rematch with one of only two men to have ever knocked him out.

Oct 8, 2016; Manchester, UK; Michael Bisping (red gloves) enters the arena before his fight against Dan Henderson (blue gloves) during UFC 204 at Manchester Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

You can always ‘Count’ on Michael Bisping to call out the best in the world and he has done it again.

Prior to fighting and defeating his long time rival Dan Henderson at UFC 204 in Manchester, Michael Bisping had expressed a real interest in fighting Nick Diaz. That interest never faded away after 204 as the feisty Brit called Diaz out a second time. Unfortunately the fight never materialised and it left fans around the world wondering if it could or would ever happen.

With the willingness to go up a weight class to fight, Nick Diaz would be the perfect opponent for Michael Bisping. Both men have never-ending cardio, world-class striking and neither man is afraid to take the fight down to the ground. They both love to engage and the verbal and mental warfare leading up to the fight would be outstanding.

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Bisping has been on a magnificent run as of late winning five of his last six including a win over Anderson Silva and winning the middleweight title after he knocked out Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 in June. The brash English standout has seen his stock grow substantially since winning the belt and that would surely attract Diaz’s attention.

Bisping is set to face and defend his title against Yoel Romero at a date and venue to be confirmed by the promotion. Taking time off to be with his family before his second defense, should ‘The Count’ be victorious against the Cuban we may just see this Diaz fight happen.

Feb 21, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Donald Cerrone (red gloves) walks to the octagon to compete against Alex Oliveira (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at the Consol Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports

The newest contender in the 170-pound division could make for the perfect welcome back fight.

Donald Cerrone has been a consistent source of world-class fights and devastating finishes both in the WEC’s and UFC’s lightweight division but now has a new home at welterweight where he has fast made into the Top-5.

Since making his welterweight debut in February, Cerrone has blown past Alex Oliveira, Patrick Cote, Rick Story and most recently Matt Brown. Not only did he win those fights he did inside the alloted time with three KO/TKO’s and one submission.

As with many fighters Ceronne has history with the Diaz name but it was with Nick’s younger brother Nate. The younger Diaz and Cerrone fought way back in 2011 at UFC 141 in a contest that Diaz won in dominant fashion thanks to his boxing skills. While both showed respect to one another post fight there have been several digs over the years since the fight, majority of which came from team Diaz toward ‘Cowboy’.

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With his new status as one of the most elite welterweight fighters on the planet a meeting between the returning Diaz and Cerrone would be one of epic proportions. Not only would this be an exciting match-up both hardcore and casual fans can enjoy, it may also provide the winner a future title shot or even cement that Number one contender spot.

Nov 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Tyron Woodley (red gloves) arrives for his fight against Stephen Thompson (blue gloves) in their welterweight title bout during UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Another current champion and former Strikeforce veteran has expressed his own interest in fighting Mr. Diaz.

Tyron Woodley is coming off an epic clash with Stephen Thompson at UFC 205 in New York. The fight that was one for the ages ended in a majority draw which meant that Woodley remained the 185-pound king.

Currently riding a four-fight undefeated streak that includes a one punch KO of former champion Robbie Lawler, Josh Koshceck and Dong Hyun Kim, Woodley has joined the list of fighters that want a little piece of that Diaz pie. After defeating Lawler and becoming the new welterweight champion ‘T-Wood’ proceeded to reel of a list of names he would like to fight next and Diaz was one of them.

Woodley stated that he wants to fight Diaz because he has the ability to put people in seats and that means more money. While the call out was respectful Nick did what he does best and fired back with something so respectful on his Facebook page.

The two men were under the Strikeforce banner together but at two ends of the same weight classes. Diaz was the man at 170-pounds pretty much beating anyone and everyone put in front of him where as Woodley was the new kid on the block making noise and tearing through the division toward the champion Diaz.

Unfortunately the fight never happened as Diaz as re-signed by the UFC and Woodley remained under the Scott Coker run promotion until the promotions merged after Zuffa purchased Strikeforce. With both men expressing interest in the fight there is no better time than now.

Aug 20, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Conor McGregor (blue gloves) before the fight against Nate Diaz (not pictured)during UFC 202 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports

What better way to announce that you are back in the game with a win over the biggest star the sport has ever seen.

As mentioned above Nick Diaz is only interested in big fights, the “money fights” he calls them. Well that money fight would most certainly be with the current lightweight champion Conor McGregor.

The Irishman is coming off of his UFC 205 destruction of Eddie Alvarez where he became the only man in promotional history to hold two different belts in two different weight classes at the same time. The ability to sell a fight regardless of his opponent is what makes McGregor special and why he is the biggest draw the sport has ever seen.

This is a fight that has a long back story to it thanks to the history between Conor and Nick’s younger brother Nate who was the first man to defeat McGregor in the UFC. The fight which was at welterweight ended thanks to a second round submission. The win came on just 11-days notice for Diaz where he stepped in for the injured Rafael dos Anjos.

However McGregor evened the score thanks to a majority decision win at UFC 202 after they engaged in a five-round instant classic that had the fans and media wanting more. While we may not see the trilogy for some time the opportunity to throw Nick Diaz in the mix is one that excites all in the mixed martial arts world. It would be a new chapter in the McGregor vs. Diaz saga and one that would make both teams a hefty some of money.

This fight is an easy sell all around the world thanks yet again to the history and both men’s ability to sell a fight. Nick Diaz vs. Conor McGregor, now who wouldn’t want to watch that?

There has been no official word from Diaz or the promotion regarding a time frame for a return to the cage but when it happens and an opponent is announced there will be a lot of interest and a lot of eyes tuning in.

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