As a long and eventful 2020 is coming to a close, fighters are being scheduled to fight for the upcoming 2021 campaign. One question remains: When will Nick Diaz fight again? Diaz’s manager, Kevin Mubenga mentioned to James Lynch of Fanatics View that a deal is being worked out where the star welterweight will return to the Octagon. Diaz served a five-year suspension given by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after testing positive for marijuana in 2015.
He also failed a drug test following a fight against Anderson Silva at UFC 183 back in January 2015. Since the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic started, Diaz began an intense training and diet regimen in preparation for his big comeback.
This is Nick Diaz earlier today. He weighs in the 175-165 pound range, per his manager Kevin Mubenga.
He just completed a 14-week diet and training regimen. This is the first time he cuts weight in approximately four years, Mubenga said. Diaz wanted to do a test cut because … pic.twitter.com/5A8EvyLeUn— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 7, 2020
Training since the summer, he took a break to avoid exerting himself, especially if there’s no set date for a return fight. Mubenga spoke with Fanatics View and discussed Diaz’s status.
“99.99999 (percent),” Mubenga said. “We just got to get everything else right with the organization and everything. We’ll be able to move forward. He’s been training. People want to see (that). Well, he’s been training as you can see for the last few several months. He took a little break now. Now, it’s time to get back on there and just go through it. You don’t want to overtrain and over-exhaust yourself, especially when you don’t have a date yet. But it was good to be able to go through the regimen and go through that small camp there to kind of feel everything out (and) get back with everyone (like trainer) Cesar Gracie.”
Diaz is also serving notice to the newest breed of welterweights that currently grace the UFC, as he fought in a welterweight division that had Georges St-Pierre as their champion. He fought St-Pierre in a welterweight title fight back in 2013, suffering a unanimous decision loss. His last win was back in 2011 over BJ Penn at UFC 137. With a nine-year winless drought, he sure took the time to wear off the ring rust and reinforce his skill set for a chance to give the welterweight division a jump. At 37, with age going against him, he may have his work cut out for him. With experience on his side, all he needs is to keep his eye on his competition and continue to prepare for the grand return.
