The last two times most MMA fans saw Nick Diaz were following UFC 143 and during his hearing with the Nevada State Athletic Commission regarding his drug test from that fight. Diaz did not fare too well in either of those appearances.
Diaz, the former Strikeforce welterweight champion came out on the wrong side of the decision to Condit, and after watching the interim UFC welterweight title belt strapped around the waist of the victor, Diaz had this to say during his in cage interview with Joe Rogan: “I think I'm done with this MMA. It's been great out here. I've had a good career, but I don't think I'm going to get enough to keep going in this.”
As for the hearing with the NSAC, that came a few months after the fight.
Diaz’s post-UFC 143 drug test came back positive for marijuana metabolites, and after a long, drawn-out hearing, Diaz was slapped with a one-year suspension retroactive the date of the fight, February 4.
Since then, we haven't heard much. Sure, there have been some words from Nick's younger brother Nate, but that was nothing concrete—just Nate's opinion on things.
That changed on Friday when Cesar Gracie took to GracieFighter.com to reveal what the future held for Nick Diaz: "This week we had a great talk and he made it clear to me that he is ready to get back to the cage. Nick Diaz will return."
I can say I would have been more surprised to read that Diaz would stay retired. What did come as a bit of a surprise was the fighter he was requesting a bout with upon his return, per Gracie:
As far as future opponents, Nick has stated that he would like to take fights “that matter”. Since GSP will be fighting Condit, he has to look elsewhere. He will respectfully ask for a fight with Anderson Silva, a fighter he respects and would like to challenge.
Silva’s camp has been speaking of a fight with GSP, possibly even at a catch weight. Nick will take that fight in a minute but has told me that should Silva decide not to drop at all, he will move up to 185lbs to face the Champ.
So there you have it fight fans, Nick Diaz will return and if he has his way, he will return in a big fashion.
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