It seems like the stars have aligned for UFC fans everywhere as Nick Diaz has announced his intention to return in 2021 after completing a test weight-cut. Ariel Helwani broke the news on twitter after getting in contact with the Stockton native’s manager, Kevin Mubenga. According to Helwani’s report, Diaz has just finished a 14-week diet and training program for the first time in four years, most likely to test what weight his body can safely and comfortably compete at.
Mubenga confirmed that Diaz has managed to hit a weight ranging between 165 and 175 lbs which would put him within comfortable distance of the Welterweight limit if he does choose to fight again. This works out perfectly for his plans as he mentioned that he has been keeping an eye on the Welterweight division and no doubt sees several exciting opportunities for his career. Just recently, it was announced that the UFC’s newest golden boy, Khamzat Chimaev, is looking to face his toughest test yet against the 7th ranked BJJ black belt, Demian Maia. The winner of this fight could present an interesting challenge for Diaz, although it’s more likely that he chooses to chase action fights with bigger names.
In that respect, he has some good options at Welterweight with the highest-ranked being Jorge Masvidal, the man who beat his younger brother Nate to claim the BMF title. As Masvidal is coming off a loss in his title-shot against Kamaru Usman, this could be the perfect time for the pair to meet in a fight that fans would love to see. If the UFC doesn’t want to give him an opponent ranked that highly, Nick Diaz has plenty of other options for fun fights in his UFC return like Anthony Pettis or a rematch sixteen years in the making against Robbie Lawler.
… he is keeping a close eye on the big welterweight fights coming up. He is “100%” planning on fighting again, per Mubenga, and is targeting an early 2021 return. (📽 @elfrogito)
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 7, 2020
