Nick Diaz Update: Will Return, Wants Anderson Silva
Like a passing case of the munchies, UFC welterweight contender Nick Diaz's plans to retire seem to have faded, and taking the place of that retirement is a burning desire to face UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva. All this is according to his longtime coach, Cesar Gracie, who posted a lengthy statement on the matter over at GracieFighter.
It was only just February when Diaz purportedly turned his back on the sport, a move prompted by his controversial unanimous decision loss to Carlos Condit at UFC 143. The defeat came after a five-round scrap for the UFC Interim Welterweight Championship title, and the bout saw Condit playing "hit and run" while the Stockton native followed him around and hurled insults. Soon after, it was revealed that Diaz had tested positive for marijuana metabolites in a post-fight urinalysis, and the subsequent year-long suspension levied upon him appeared to be the icing on the retirement cake.
Said Gracie:
For the last couple months I've watched Nick begin to frequent the gym more and more. He's training harder now than he has for many of his fights. It was obvious that training and fighting is in his DNA. It is who he is.
This week we had a great talk and he made it clear to me that he is ready to get back in the cage. Nick Diaz will return.
With interim champ Condit destined to face UFC welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre at UFC 154 in November, who is there for Diaz - an elite, top-level fighter - to face that's worthwhile?
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 catchweight. 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.
And there you have it. Unfortunately, unless Diaz (or, more aptly, his attorneys) can figure out a way around his suspension, ain't nothin' going down 'till February, 2013. Remember kids, dope is for dopes. Don't be a dope!
