As memorable and anticipated as UFC 183 was, Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz was easily one of the weirdest Octagon matchups of all time.
From Diaz immediately mocking Silva’s unwillingness to push forward in Round 1 to Silva doing everything he could to shake off what rust he had accumulated over the past 13 months, Saturday’s main event was full of quirks.
But through the thick fog that was Silva’s historic return to the cage, Diaz stood bloodied and still convinced that he did enough to win the fight, per MMA Junkie’s Steven Marrocco.
While this post-fight self-assurance is becoming the norm for the former welterweight contender, Diaz was able to do a lot of things that many true middleweights and light heavyweights before him couldn’t—he stood in front of The Spider and took every bit of punishment offered.
So even though Silva’s technique, timing and overall fluidity seemed slightly off, Diaz looked great for a guy who hasn’t fought in nearly two years—let alone a guy who was making his return to the cage against the greatest mixed martial artist of all time.
With that said, if Diaz decides to remain active and get back into action as soon as he can, who will be there to welcome him?
Here are three fights for Diaz to take next in order to preserve his relevance and top billing.
Winner of Johny Hendricks vs. Matt Brown
While this matchup at UFC 185 could easily produce the next challenger for welterweight champion Robbie Lawler’s belt, Diaz has done enough over the past few years to warrant a shot at the winner.
Now while Hendricks is obviously the bigger draw than Brown—and probably the quickest road to a future title shot—both welterweights match up well against Diaz.
Stylistically, Diaz vs. Brown would possibly be one of the most violent fights ever. With a primal ability to push through pain and attack his opponents, Brown would not shy away from throwing down with one of the best boxers in the sport.
As for Diaz vs. Hendricks, assuming Bigg Rigg doesn’t opt for the takedown early, this is a matchup between a fighter who throws devastating power punches for quality and a fighter who throws countless combinations for quantity.
You also have to consider the reach advantage that Diaz (6’0″) would have opposite Hendricks (5’9″).
In any case, this is the quickest way for Diaz to work his way back into the welterweight division while satisfying his need to fight big names in the sport.
Carlos Condit
There is no timetable for Condit‘s return to action since tearing his ACL opposite Tyron Woodley back at UFC 171 nearly one year ago, but you better believe that Diaz would love to get another shot at The Natural Born Killer when he’s ready to go.
Having lost to Condit back at UFC 143 for the interim welterweight title, Diaz has unfinished business with one of the most potent strikers in the division.
Now while Diaz vs. Condit II would be a huge co-main event for any upcoming pay-per-view, it probably wouldn’t serve Diaz all too well when it comes to fighting for a title as quickly as possible.
Condit hasn’t fought since March of 2014 and remains a mystery as to how efficient and intact he’ll be when he finally returns to the cage.
But considering his track record and the two fighters’ five-round history, this is a matchup that everyone wants to see again.
Georges St-Pierre
This is obviously one of the unlikeliest matchups to happen in the near future, but it is possible.
Having already gone five rounds with the former welterweight kingpin, Diaz knows all too well what it would take to welcome GSP back to the Octagon and ultimately defeat him.
While the biggest obstacle for a rematch between the two would be St-Pierre’s decision to finally give fighting another go, the UFC would probably throw so much money at him that he wouldn’t know what to do with it.
As for Diaz, this would allow him to enact vengeance on the one guy he’s openly hated the most over the years—not to mention the circus-like media attention and PPV buys this fight would produce the second it was announced.
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