Nick Diaz may be returning to the UFC soon, but there is a chance he will return as a middleweight. Demian Maia, a former middleweight now at welterweight, was on “The MMA Hour” discussing his future plans when he brought up this possibility:
That’s an interesting fight but I heard he is going to middleweight, to 185. I heard that he wants to go up to 185, or at least he wants to go to 185. I heard that… I don’t even remember from who I heard it but lets see what happens.
Does a trek to 185 pounds make sense for Diaz? I say yes.
Diaz, currently ranked No. 6 at welterweight, has fought near middleweight previously.
He has had a couple of catchweight bouts in Strikeforce and will be giving up a lot of weight and strength to many of the middleweights, but for where he is right now in the UFC, the move makes sense.
Diaz wants big fights. There are a few in the welterweight division, but there are plenty at 185, too.
The difference between the two divisions is how compelling those fights are for Diaz. Welterweight is a wrestler’s gauntlet. Middleweight has more strikers. The latter makes more sense for Diaz.
Diaz‘s trouble with wrestlers is well documented. Georges St-Pierre, Johny Hendricks, Rory MacDonald, Jake Ellenberger and more line the top of the welterweight division. All are poor matchups for Diaz.
Middleweight has its share of wrestlers, too, but there are far more stand-up battles for Diaz. It is more exciting for the fans.
Win or lose against Chris Weidman come December, none is more exciting than Anderson Silva. Although, don’t expect Diaz to go right for gold if Silva wins.
Diaz‘s love of trash talk and striking would make for an entertaining meeting with the former long-time champion. It is the biggest fight out there for Diaz right now.
But there are others, too.
Who wouldn’t enjoy Michael Bisping and Diaz exchanging on the feet?
The No. 3 ranked middleweight Vitor Belfort is in need of an opponent, and the lightning fast hands of Belfort would be a prime candidate for the return of Diaz.
From a promotional aspect, the UFC should want Diaz at middleweight. The strikers and talkers of the division are double, if not triple, of the welterweight division.
Diaz fits right in. He gives up a lot of size and power, but Diaz doesn’t back down from challenges.
He is talented enough to compete with the best of the middleweights—especially if they want to box with him. This is the perfect opportunity for Diaz to avoid complaining about the wrestlers of 170 pounds.
The move to middleweight makes sense for Diaz, the UFC and the fans. Stylistically, this is a move that should make Diaz happy. Promotionally, it grants the UFC easier fights to sell. It is a win-win scenario.
Diaz has plenty of options on the table at both weight classes, but if the question is, “does it make sense,” then the answer is undeniably yes.
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