UFC targeting Nick Diaz-Hector Lombard, hasn't heard back from Diaz
Don't be scared, homie.
UFC president Dana White said Wednesday at a media luncheon in Los Angeles that he was interested in booking a fight between Nick Diaz and Hector Lombard. Diaz, when asked about it, was interested. And then he went radio silent.
"Then I never heard from Nick again," White said.
Diaz hasn't fought in a little more than a year when he lost to Georges St-Pierre in a UFC welterweight title fight. He initially said he was retired, but then told reporters at UFC 171 in Dallas that he was ready to come back. Diaz, though, wanted a title fight and the UFC doesn't seem to be willing to give him one, for good reason. He has lost two in a row.
A bout with Lombard would be the next best thing. The Cuban former judo Olympian has destroyed both Nate Marquardt and Jake Shields since dropping down to welterweight. He looks like a viable contender, though the winner of a fight between Rory MacDonald and Tyron Woodley at UFC 174 on June 14 in Vancouver will probably get the next bout against champion Johny Hendricks.
Diaz told FOX Sports in December that he's the "only draw" at 170 pounds and he's correct about the draw point. With St-Pierre and Anderson Silva on the shelf and Hendricks, Anthony Pettis and Cain Velasquez all injured, the UFC needs guys who put butts in the seats.
With 50 cards this year, there has to be at least a little incentive to bring back Stockton's favorite son. Even after his brother, Nate, went nuclear on the UFC this week.
