Nick Diaz may not be the most active star in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. But the bad boy from Stockton, California has a unique charisma that many MMA fans are obsessed with. He likes to keep it real. He has this “devil-may-care attitude.” Especially, he likes to play things on his own rules. This is why fans are often elated when Nick Diaz does a Nick Diaz thing.
So when reports surfaced last night that Diaz will be soon returning to the cage, the MMA community was lit up with excitement and anticipation. UFC President Dana White told Brent Okamoto of ESPN that the promotion is “close to finalizing” a welterweight showdown between the former Strikeforce champion and American fighter Jorge Masvidal for the UFC 235 main card next year.
Breaking: The UFC is close to finalizing Nick Diaz's return to the Octagon, per Dana White. The fight is Jorge Masvidal at UFC 235 on March 2 in Las Vegas. Diaz's first appearance in more than four years. Story coming soon to @ESPN.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 15, 2018
It has been nearly four years since the Stockton native last saw actions in the cage. Diaz absorbed a decision loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 183 but the outcome of the bout was later overturned to no contest after both fighters tested positive to banned substances.
The most recent win to date for Diaz was outside the Octagon when the court decided to drop all the domestic abuse charges against him last August – a legal and moral victory for the embattled fighter. This could be a perfect morale-booster for ‘Diablo’ ahead of his much-awaited UFC return. On March 2, 2019, Diaz will once again bring his dangerous funk and his own brand of violence, which will make us forget that he actually lost his last two fights and that he has never beaten big household names since 2011.
Check out some of the best reactions from the Twitter-verse on Diaz’s impending UFC comeback!
I'm always amazed by the MMA fans who don't love watching Nick Diaz do Nick Diaz things.
WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
— JE Snowden (@JESnowden) November 16, 2018
UFC's vendetta against Nick Diaz is one of Dana White's greatest crimes against the fight world. One of the world's great action fighters and the promotion had no clue what to do with him. pic.twitter.com/Nb1WJSoGsn
— JE Snowden (@JESnowden) November 16, 2018
NICK DIAZ SHOW 🙌 #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/Y0GZ3lsxUL
— Mystic Majors (@MysticMajors) November 15, 2018
Imagine not liking the Nick Diaz vs Jorge Masvidal matchup.
— Alex Scaffidi (@alexscaffidi_) November 16, 2018
Guys are we excited about the Nick Diaz news pic.twitter.com/fBxMDdKtmh
— gregor mcconor (@krstnonthecoast) November 16, 2018
Even Jon Jones and Conor McGregor want from row seats when Nick Diaz is in town. #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/rfD4H48i6U
— Scott Bond (@_ScottBond_) November 16, 2018
Nick Diaz vs Jorge Masvidal
It’s fucking spectacular. Love the match up. I’m marking out.
— MiddleEasy (@MiddleEasy) November 16, 2018
@nickdiaz209 is back, fuck yea this has been a great year for mma, easy sub victory for Nick, fuck shit up bro make that cash, much love
— Ol' Wolf (@Ol_Wolf) November 16, 2018
GUYS
NICK DIAZ VERSUS JORGE MASVIDAL IS FUCKING REAL‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
Y’ALL KNOW THAT FIGHT IS GOING TO BE WILD AF
THIS IS THE VIOLENCE GAWDS GIVING BACK TO US
BUT WHAT WILL THEY TAKE⁉️⁉️⁉️
IDGAF TBH – GIVE ME 3 ROUNDS
OF DIAZ x MASVIDAL VIOLENCE#UFC235 pic.twitter.com/F69OJ2jmgF— e s t e b a n (@MMA_Relevant) November 15, 2018
What do you think of Diaz’s chances against Masvidal? Will the former Strikeforce champion make an impact on his return? Or will ‘Gamebred’ give him a reality check?
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/The Fight Capital and The Fight Game)
What do you think ?