UFC Welterweight Nick Diaz Ready To Return
UFC welterweight Nick Diaz is eager to return to the Octagon, just months after hinting at retirement following his loss to champion Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158.
GSP called Diaz “the most disrespectful human being,” and dominated the Stockton, California, native for five rounds, winning the bout by unanimous decision. Diaz took the loss hard, and hinted that the bout may have been his last.
“I’m trying to retire, I’m trying to get out of this gig…. I’ve had more than 30-something fights. What am I going to do if I don’t get a rematch? I don’t want to fight any of these guys out here — they came in after me,” Diaz said.
Since then, the 29-year-old has changed his tune, and asked president Dana White for a fight prior to UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman.
“He said he broke up with his girlfriend and wants a fight. Dana, get me a fight,” White said after the UFC 162 post-fight press conference.
However, following Diaz’s loss to GSP, White confirmed that Johnny Hendricks was next in line for a chance at the welterweight title.
“There’s no doubt Johny Hendricks deserves the next shot,” White said. “That fight [Hendricks vs. Carlos Condit] was amazing tonight. I’m actually glad that it worked out that way. Those were the top guys to see who faces Georges St-Pierre. Johny Hendricks deserves it.”
Still, Diaz has decided that he isn’t ready to leave the UFC just yet, and White said the promotion will be glad to accommodate him whenever he’s ready to return to the Octagon.
“Nick Diaz is under contract with the UFC,” White said. “Whenever Nick Diaz wants a fight, we’ll be more than happy to get him a fight.”
Dana White didn’t elaborate on when Diaz would make his return, or who his opponent would be, but the former Strikeforce welterweight champion has been asking for a fight against the recently-dethroned middleweight champion Anderson Silva. However, it looks like a rematch with Chris Weidman will happen before “El Diablo” gets to tangle with “the Spider.”
Who do you think Nick Diaz should fight when he returns to the UFC?
