If Nick Diaz returns to the Octagon, we know who he won’t be fighting.
News came out recently that former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz could have his first MMA fight since his no contest with Anderson Silva in 2015. There was even a report saying that a bout between him and prospect Khamzat Chimaev was offered, but don’t get your hopes up if you’re actually a fan of this matchup.
Diaz’s manager Kevin Mubenga basically shut down the idea in a statement sent to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.
“He’s a good prospect, respectfully, but he hasn’t earned the right to a mega-fight vs. Nick Diaz,” Mubenga said. “So let’s put those rumors to rest.”
Chimaev (9-0) hasn’t fought since he knocked out Gerald Meerschaert up at middleweight last September. He was scheduled on multiple occasions to fight Leon Edwards but both men contracted COVID-19. Chimaev had lingering effects from the virus that had him contemplating retirement, but the Swedish smasher smesher is angling for a summer return.
Following the Silva fight, Diaz (26-9, 2 NCs) was memorably suspended for five years for his third marijuana violation in the state of Nevada. That heavy-handed punishment was reduced to 18 months but he’s never been particularly close to a return to competition. His last win was in 2011 against BJ Penn at UFC 137.
We await our answer as to if/when the 37-year-old Diaz will fight again. It certainly doesn’t seem too surprising that Diaz vs. Chimaev won’t be a thing.