Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque in the Works for UFC 310 on December 7

Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque in the Works for UFC 310 on December 7Nick Diaz is back! For real this time. After travel issues kept him from a return to the Octagon…

Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque in the Works for UFC 310 on December 7

Nick Diaz is back! For real this time.

After travel issues kept him from a return to the Octagon in Abu Dhabi, the leader of the Diaz army appears to be set for his next fight. According to a report from MMA journalist Alex Behunin, Diaz is set to square off with No. 14 ranked welterweight contender Vicente Luque at UFC 310 on Saturday, December 7.

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The bout was originally scheduled to go down at Etihad Arena last month, but travel-related issues forced Diaz to bow out of the contest.

It’s been three long years since we last saw Diaz in action having last faced UFC Hall of Famer ‘Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler at UFC 266. The 41-year-old Stockton native delivered a lackluster showing and ultimately suffered a third-round TKO against the former welterweight world champion.

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Nick Diaz hasn’t won a UFC fight in 13 years

Diaz has not won a fight in the Octagon since a unanimous decision over BJ Penn at UFC 137 in October 2011.

Luque, 31, will look to use Diaz as a stepping stone back into the win column after dropping three of his last four fights, including a second-round knockout loss against Joaquin Buckley in his most recent outing. Overall, ‘The Silent Assassin’ is 22-10-1 in his mixed martial arts career and carries a 15-6 record under the UFC banner.

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Diaz boasts a similar MMA record, having gone 26-10, but his UFC run has been far less impressive, going 7-7 with one no-contest. Though he never captured gold inside the Octagon, Diaz is a former WEC and Strikeforce welterweight champion.

Nick Diaz issues warning ahead of UFC return: ‘I’m going to hunt all you down’

Nick Diaz issues warning ahead of UFC return: 'I'm going to hunt all you down'Off the back of his cancelled return to action in Abu Dhabi, UAE earlier this summer, former UFC welterweight…

Nick Diaz issues warning ahead of UFC return: 'I'm going to hunt all you down'

Off the back of his cancelled return to action in Abu Dhabi, UAE earlier this summer, former UFC welterweight title challenger, Nick Diaz has vowed to lay waste to Brazilian-American, Vicente Luque in a rescheduled bout — before switching his focus to other welterweight foes.

Diaz, a former interim and undisputed welterweight title challenger under the banner of the UFC, was slated to return at the beginning of this month in the Middle East, taking on the above-mentioned perennial contender, Luque in his return to the welterweight limit.

Nick Diaz
Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Most recently featuring at UFC 266 over three years ago, Stockton veteran, Diaz dropped a third round TKO retirement loss against former undisputed welterweight champion, Robbie Lawler in the pair’s middleweight rematch clash.

Without a win since 2011, Nick Diaz earned Fight of the Night honors in a title eliminator against former two-weight champion, B.J. Penn, besting the Hawaiian veteran in a unanimous decision victory.

Nick Diaz's ex-coach concerned for fight with Vicente Luque I wouldn't advise him to do this

Nick Diaz issues warning to fellow UFC welterweights

And ruled from a UFC Abu Dhabi return at the beginning of this month amid reported travel issues, Diaz has been backed to return and fight stalwart welterweight challenger, Luque in a rebooked clash this annum — and has now warned other contenders he is on the firm hunt for them to boot.

Nick Diaz
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“Don’t for a second think I forgot about all you little fighters who had a lot of sh*t to say about me…,” Nick Diaz posted on his official Instagram account. “I’m going to hunt all you p*ssies down one at a time after I’m done with this guy.”

A former welterweight champion under the banner of the now defunct, Strikeforce and the WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting), fan-favorite veteran, Diaz had long been linked with a return to action since his knockout defeat to Lawler — and boldly lined himself up for a fight with former two-time champion, Israel Adesanya.

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Nick Diaz return fight against Vicente Luque axed from UFC Abu Dhabi card amid ‘Travel issues’

Nick Diaz return fight with Vicente Luque axed from UFC Abu Dhabi amid travel issuesA scheduled welterweight fight between perennial contender, Vicente Luque and the fan-favorite veteran, Nick Diaz has been scrapped from…

Nick Diaz return fight with Vicente Luque axed from UFC Abu Dhabi amid travel issues

A scheduled welterweight fight between perennial contender, Vicente Luque and the fan-favorite veteran, Nick Diaz has been scrapped from next month’s UFC Abu Dhabi card, amid reported “travel issues”. 

Slated to make his return to action following a two year layoff from the Octagon, former welterweight title challenger, Diaz was booked in a five-round co-main event fight with Brazilian-American, Luque at next month’s UFC Abu Dhabi card in the United Arab Emirates.

Nick Diaz UFC
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Nick Diaz return at UFC Abu Dhabi against Vicente Luque shelved

However, amid speculation regarding his comeback to action, Stockton native, Nick Diaz’s clash with the aforenoted, Luque has been pulled from the ‘Fight Night’ billed event amid reported “travel issues” courtesy of the broadcast at tonight’s UFC Vegas 94 card.

Sidelined since he made a hiatus-snapping return two years ago, former Strikeforce and WEC champion, Nick Diaz has been out of action since he dropped a third round TKO loss to former undisputed welterweight champion, Robbie Lawler in the pair’s rematch.

Nick Diaz's ex-coach concerned for fight with Vicente Luque I wouldn't advise him to do this

As for Luque, the stalwart welterweight contender dropped a second round knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night Atlantic City back at the end of March earlier this year.

Without a win since his title-eliminator victory against former duel-weight champion, B.J. Penn back in 2011. As per the broadcast to boot, it’s expected Diaz’s clash with Luque will be rescheduled for another event later this year.

Nick Diaz didn't train for 5 years for UFC return with Robbie Lawler he was pressured into that fight

UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi takes place on August 3. from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with a potential bantamweight title-eliminator between Cory Sandhagen, and Umar Nurmagomedov set to take main event honors. 

Nick Diaz return fight against Vicente Luque axed from UFC Abu Dhabi card amid ‘Travel issues’

Nick Diaz return fight with Vicente Luque axed from UFC Abu Dhabi amid travel issuesA scheduled welterweight fight between perennial contender, Vicente Luque and the fan-favorite veteran, Nick Diaz has been scrapped from…

Nick Diaz return fight with Vicente Luque axed from UFC Abu Dhabi amid travel issues

A scheduled welterweight fight between perennial contender, Vicente Luque and the fan-favorite veteran, Nick Diaz has been scrapped from next month’s UFC Abu Dhabi card, amid reported “travel issues”. 

Slated to make his return to action following a two year layoff from the Octagon, former welterweight title challenger, Diaz was booked in a five-round co-main event fight with Brazilian-American, Luque at next month’s UFC Abu Dhabi card in the United Arab Emirates.

Nick Diaz UFC
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Nick Diaz return at UFC Abu Dhabi against Vicente Luque shelved

However, amid speculation regarding his comeback to action, Stockton native, Nick Diaz’s clash with the aforenoted, Luque has been pulled from the ‘Fight Night’ billed event amid reported “travel issues” courtesy of the broadcast at tonight’s UFC Vegas 94 card.

Sidelined since he made a hiatus-snapping return two years ago, former Strikeforce and WEC champion, Nick Diaz has been out of action since he dropped a third round TKO loss to former undisputed welterweight champion, Robbie Lawler in the pair’s rematch.

Nick Diaz's ex-coach concerned for fight with Vicente Luque I wouldn't advise him to do this

As for Luque, the stalwart welterweight contender dropped a second round knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night Atlantic City back at the end of March earlier this year.

Without a win since his title-eliminator victory against former duel-weight champion, B.J. Penn back in 2011. As per the broadcast to boot, it’s expected Diaz’s clash with Luque will be rescheduled for another event later this year.

Nick Diaz didn't train for 5 years for UFC return with Robbie Lawler he was pressured into that fight

UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi takes place on August 3. from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with a potential bantamweight title-eliminator between Cory Sandhagen, and Umar Nurmagomedov set to take main event honors. 

Nick Diaz didn’t train for ‘5 years’ ahead of UFC return fight with Robbie Lawler: ‘He was pressured into that’

Nick Diaz didn't train for 5 years for UFC return with Robbie Lawler he was pressured into that fightSlated to make another return to the Octagon in just a months’ time at UFC Abu Dhabi, former undisputed…

Nick Diaz didn't train for 5 years for UFC return with Robbie Lawler he was pressured into that fight

Slated to make another return to the Octagon in just a months’ time at UFC Abu Dhabi, former undisputed welterweight title challenger, Nick Diaz took part in no training regime for five years ahead of his clash with former champion, Robbie Lawler back in 2021, according to Jake Shields.

Diaz, a former welterweight title challenger under the banner of the UFC, is slated to make his comeback at UFC Abu Dhabi next month in the United Arab Emirates, taking on welterweight contender, Vicente Luque over the course of five rounds.

Nick Diaz UFC
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Sidelined for the last three years, Nick Diaz snapped a six-year hiatus at UFC 266 in a rematch with former gold holder, Lawler, dropping a third round TKO loss to the former undisputed champion in the pair’s second time to share the Octagon together. 

Nick Diaz teases massive fighting return Somebody is gonna pay very soon UFC
Mandatory Credit: Icon Sportswire

And despite appearing in much better shape – physically at least this time around for his return bout with Luque, which has been scrutinized by many within the community – including his former head coach, Cesar Gracie, Diaz at least had enjoyed some training for this return.

Nick Diaz had no training for 5 years ahead of Robbie Lawler rematch

And according to the above-mentioned, Shields, a long-time training partner of the Stockton veteran, who will train with the former WEC and Strikeforce champion in the coming weeks, Diaz didn’t train for over five years for his matchup with Lawler.

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“He (Nick Diaz) didn’t train at all for the (Robbie) Lawler fight,” Jake Shields said on the JAXXON podcast. “That fight shouldn’t have happened in my opinion, I’m not gonna get into too many details, but I wasn’t very happy. I think he was kinda pressured into that so people could make money.”

“…I mean, the fact that he fought Robbie Lawler with zero training in five years, and like, I was freaked out watching that, I thought he was gonna get embarrassed, and he put on freaking war. He lost – but for a second, for two rounds I thought he might even come back and win, like holy sh*t – with no training. I think he can still go out there – it shows that he has the heart still and now he’s training – I can’t say how hard – I know that he’s training now. Hopefully I’ll get out there next week and push him.”

Are you excited for Nick Diaz’s return next month?