Diaz Next Fight Might ‘Not Be In UFC’

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Former UFC welterweight title contender Nick Diaz has not competed for more than six years, and yes that sucks for longtime MMA fans, but it also means the Stockt…


UFC 183: Silva v Diaz
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Former UFC welterweight title contender Nick Diaz has not competed for more than six years, and yes that sucks for longtime MMA fans, but it also means the Stockton slugger has not gotten a paycheck since his Anderson Silva “No Contest” back in Jan. 2015.

Those giant blunts won’t pay for themselves.

There has been talk of a possible comeback later this year, and Diaz even completed a mock weight cut to see how his body would respond to the rigors of fight camp, but that doesn’t mean the former Strikeforce champ is making his way back to UFC.

That’s according to coach Cesar Gracie.

“We were looking at September,” Gracie told MMA Fighting. “I have to see where he is in his contract. It is possible that his next fight will not be in the UFC. Nick is very open to take a fight in MMA or boxing.”

Gracie claims to be “studying” the possibility of free agency.

With celebrity boxing all the rage these days — and providing big money payouts for UFC stars of yesteryear — now would be a lucrative time for Diaz to return. But he may need to finish up his duties with UFC before making the transition to the “sweet science.”

Assuming he can get those days off from Walmart.