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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 issues A scheduled welterweight fight between perennial contender, Vicente Luque and the fan-favorite veteran, Nick Diaz has been scrapped from…

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.

Nick Diaz's return to the cage is on hold, and a new co-main event has been booked for #UFCAbuDhabi in two weeks.

Full story: https://t.co/sR1r0eIqOT pic.twitter.com/GILnitg8l7

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 21, 2024

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.

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.

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’

Slated to make another return to the Octagon in just a months’ time at UFC Abu Dhabi, former undisputed…

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.

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.

“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?

Nick Diaz’s ex-Coach concerned by UFC fight with Vicente Luque: ‘I wouldn’t have advised him to do this’

Ahead of his slated return next month in Abu Dhabi, Nick Diaz’s former head coach, Cesar Gracie has voiced…

Ahead of his slated return next month in Abu Dhabi, Nick Diaz’s former head coach, Cesar Gracie has voiced his concern for his former student ahead of his slated clash with Vicente Luque – insisting he would have advised the veteran against fighting that opponent, as well as competent overseas this late into his career.

Diaz, a former welterweight title challenger under the banner of the UFC, is slated to make his first outing inside the Octagon since taking on the retired former champion, Robbie Lawler back in 2021, dropping a third round TKO loss in the pair’s middleweight rematch.

Nick Diaz targeted UFC 300 comeback fight with Georges St-Pierre before booking Vicente Luque clash — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

And set to snap a three-year hiatus from the sport next month in the United Arab Emirates, it came as a surprise to fans that Diaz was booked to take on welterweight mainstay, Luque in a return to the division – with pundits and commenters alike suggesting he should take on fellow veteran, Tony Ferguson on the same card – who is also set to compete in Abu Dhabi.

Nick Diaz’s ex-coach shows concern for UFC Abu Dhabi booking

Posting some recent training footage ahead of his comeback to fighting, Nick Diaz’s former head coach in Stockton, the above-mentioned Gracie, voiced some concern for his long-time student, questioning why a pairing with Luque was booked.

Nick Diaz admits he knew he had it coming in UFC 266 return unprepared — Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports

“I’m not really involved in that fight,” Cesar Gracie told Submission Radio during a recent interview. “I’m gonna be perfectly honest with you, that wasn’t my idea. If I was advising Nick (Diaz), I wouldn’t have advised him to do that fight. It’s in Abu Dhabi, I wouldn’t advise to go fight overseas at this point. Especially [to fight] (Vicente) Luque – who is a very tough guy.”

“Nick is a tough guy, but it just doesn’t make that much sense to me where Nick is at in his career,” Gracie explained. “It’s not the fight I would have made, and don’t even know what’s going on with that fight, to be honest with you. It’s a toss-up what’s gonna happen. I don’t really see him training with fighters. And I don’t know what’s going on with that fight.”

Do you think Nick Diaz can beat Vicente Luque in the UAE next month?

Vicente Luque On How Experience Of Fighting Three UFC Fighters Should Help Him Against Nick Diaz: ‘Throw All Those Into A Blender…’

Vicente Luque recently expressed confidence that his past encounters with three seasoned UFC veterans have equipped him to manage the pressure in his upcoming fight against Nick Diaz. Luque is gearing up for a high-stakes showdown against former welterweight title challenger Diaz. This five-round bout will serve as the co-main event at UFC Fight Night […]

Continue Reading Vicente Luque On How Experience Of Fighting Three UFC Fighters Should Help Him Against Nick Diaz: ‘Throw All Those Into A Blender…’ at MMA News.

Vicente Luque recently expressed confidence that his past encounters with three seasoned UFC veterans have equipped him to manage the pressure in his upcoming fight against Nick Diaz.

Luque is gearing up for a high-stakes showdown against former welterweight title challenger Diaz. This five-round bout will serve as the co-main event at UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi, scheduled for August 3 at the Etihad Arena.

Luque’s recent career has experienced significant ups and downs. Since April 2022, “The Silent Assassin”, known for his formidable and versatile fighting abilities, has managed to secure only one victory. That triumph came when he defeated Rafael Dos Anjos via unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 74 last August.

Before his victory, Luque endured consecutive defeats to Belal Muhammad and Geoff Neal. The loss to “Handz of Steel” was particularly significant as it marked the first knockout loss of his career and led to an injury that kept him out of action for almost a year.

The 32-year-old Brazilian is coming off a second-round knockout defeat against Joaquin Buckley this past March at UFC Fight Night Atlantic City. Despite this setback, Luque remains confident in his ability to turn his fortunes around.

Drawing on his past victories over several notable opponents, Luque believes that his experience and resilience will be key factors in his bout against the former Strikeforce welterweight champion…

Luque Trusts Experience To Overcome Diaz Challenge

During a recent interview with InsideFighting, “The Silent Assassin” was queried about his strategy for facing a high-profile opponent like Diaz.

Luque acknowledged that the intensity Diaz brings to fights is exceptionally different from that of other opponents. However, he expressed confidence that his victories over veterans like Tyron Woodley, Dos Anjos, and Bryan Barberena will provide him with the edge he needs on August 3.

“I think he’s a big name. I fought Woodley, I fought RDA, and these guys were big champions. They have big names, but I feel like the energy that Nick brings is different.”

“I think it’s a little bit different, and I don’t know if I would mix the experience that I have from fighting Woodley and RDA with the fight I had with Barberena. It’s kind of that, you know, throw all those into a blender, and you come out with something like Nick, a guy with big, a legend, but he’ll stand there in front of you and try to pressure you.”

The Brazilian also noted that the five-round matchup will work to his advantage against Diaz, who has been out of the octagon for an extended period of time.

“It’s gonna be five rounds, not gonna be three rounds. So it’s gonna be nice. I mean, if he can, what I’m gonna bring, and I think he can and I can take what he’s gonna bring, then we’re gonna put on a show for everyone.”

Diaz returned to active competition after a six-year hiatus, facing off against his former rival Robbie Lawler in a rematch at UFC 266 in September 2021. The 40-year-old Stockton native unexpectedly dropped to the canvas in the third round and chose not to continue, leading the referee to stop the fight.

Read More: Colby Covington Claims Nick Diaz Ducked Him But Will Not ‘Put Down The Diaz Brothers & Talk S**t About Them’

Continue Reading Vicente Luque On How Experience Of Fighting Three UFC Fighters Should Help Him Against Nick Diaz: ‘Throw All Those Into A Blender…’ at MMA News.

Nick Diaz backed for win in UFC Abu Dhabi return: ‘He was looking good against Robbie Lawler’

Veteran fan-favorite, Nick Diaz has been backed to perform in his return to the Octagon later this summer ahead…

Veteran fan-favorite, Nick Diaz has been backed to perform in his return to the Octagon later this summer ahead of his fight with Vicente Luque at UFC Abu Dhabi – with bantamweight best, Sean O’Malley praising his performance last time out in his rematch against ex-champion, Robbie Lawler.

Diaz, a former welterweight title challenger under the banner of the UFC and gold holder whilst competing in the WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting) and Strikeforce, is slated to make his return at UFC Abu Dhabi in August, taking on Brazilian-American contender, Luque in a return to 170lbs to boot.

Sidelined for the last three years, Diaz most recently dropped a TKO retirement loss to former titleholder, Lawler in the pair’s rematch – snapping a six-year hiatus from combat sports in the process.

Nick Diaz backed for success in UFC Abu Dhabi return

And with much made about his booking against welterweight challenger, Luque – Diaz has been backed to perform to aplomb by the above-mentioned, O’Malley, who praised his display three years ago against Lawler.

“That’s so badass,” Sean O’Malley said on his podcast of Nick Diaz’s return to the UFC. “Nick Diaz? Definitely could have gave him a better match up. [Tony Ferguson] would have been perfect.”

“His fight with Robbie Lawler, he was looking f*cking good though,” O’Malley explained. “He looked good, he really did. Until he lost.”

Without a victory since 2011, Diaz most recent win came in the form of a unanimous decision win over former two-division champion, B.J. Penn – before going on to compete against former championship-winning trio, Carlos Condit, Georges St-Pierre, and Anderson Silva.

UFC 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 slated to take main event honors.

Do you think Nick Diaz can land success in his return to the Octagon this summer?

Dana White again urges Tony Ferguson to end career with UFC Abu Dhabi loss: ‘I would like to see him retire’

Booking former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson to call time on his professional mixed martial arts career with a…

Booking former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson to call time on his professional mixed martial arts career with a record-setting eighth consecutive loss at UFC Abu Dhabi in August – promotional CEO, Dana White would urge the Oxnard veteran to retire.

Ferguson, a former interim lightweight titleholder and Ultimate Fighter winner, is slated to make his return to the Octagon at the beginning of August, featuring in a main card opener at UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi – joining fellow veteran Californian, Nick Diaz in returning at the event.

Riding a seven-fight defeat streak – joined only by former two-weight titleholder, B.J. Penn, Ferguson has been sidelined since he featured at UFC 296 back in December, dropping a unanimous decision loss against polarizing Liverpool contender, Paddy Pimblett.

However, booking his return at UFC Abu Dhabi later this summer despite multiple calls from White for him to retire from the sport since his defeat late last year, Ferguson takes on fellow veteran, Michael Chiesa in a rescheduled pairing – with his fellow TUF winner hoping to snap his own three-fight skid.

Tony Ferguson backed to receive UFC Hall of Fame induction on the merit of that winning streak — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Dana White urges Tony Ferguson to end career

And despite claiming he would continue fighting “until the wheels fell off” recently, Ferguson, who returns to the welterweight limit, has been urged to definitely call time on his career by White if he sets an unwanted record with the most consecutive losses in Octagon history.

Tony Ferguson releases statement after UFC 296 loss calls for retirement keep the faith — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

“Yeah, I would hope so – yeah, I would like to see him (Tony Ferguson) retire,” Dana White told assembled media following UFC 302 overnight.

Without a victory since 2019, Ferguson’s most recent win came in the form of a second round doctor’s stoppage TKO win over Hall of Fame inductee, Donald Cerrone – which incidentally came as his record-setting twelfth straight triumph at the lightweight limit.

Do you think Tony Ferguson could snap his losing run at UFC Abu Dhabi?