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

Nick Diaz backed to 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.

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

“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.”

Nick Diaz UFC — Mandatory Credit: MMA Junkie

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?

Daniel Cormier is not thrilled with Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque booking: ‘This is a much more dangerous fight’

Daniel Cormier is not thrilled with news of Nick Diaz’s return. Earlier this week, UFC CEO Dana White shocked…

Daniel Cormier is not thrilled with news of Nick Diaz’s return.

Earlier this week, UFC CEO Dana White shocked everyone when he revealed that the Stockton, California native would step back inside the Octagon for the first time since a 2021 scrap with ‘Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler. Diaz is set to square off with No. 14 ranked welterweight contender Vicente Luque on August 3 when the promotion delivers a star-studded Fight Night card in Abu Dhabi.

Sharing his thoughts on the announcement with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Cormier admitted to being initially excited by the news. After all, it’s not often that you get to see Nick Diaz strap on the four-ounce gloves.

“I was very shocked,” Cormier said. “After watching Nick Diaz compete the last time, I was like, ‘Okay, he’s done.’ But when I heard the news, I was excited! I got so excited because it’s like how often do we get an opportunity to see a guy that meant so much to us? I watched him in Strikeforce, I do all that.”

However, Cormier’s excitement quickly turned to worry after he realized who Diaz would be fighting.

“Now, the matchup, that’s a little worrisome for me because Robbie Lawler seemed to be at the same stage in his career as him. Vicente Luque is not there. This is a much more dangerous fight for Nick Diaz. I just hope that he shows a better form this time. Honestly, man, excitement because I get to see a guy that I’ve watched for a long time. Confusion in terms of who the matchup is. Tony Ferguson’s fighting on the card, too. Put them together. That makes more sense to me.”

Nick Diaz seeks his first win in more than a dozen years

After building an impressive 11-fight win streak, Diaz lost three straight between 2012 and 2015, coming up short against Carlos Condit, Georges St-Pierre, and Anderson Silva, though his fight against ‘The Spider’ was later overturned to a no contest after Silva tested positive for anabolic steroids.

Fans wouldn’t see Diaz return until eight years later when he booked a fight with UFC Hall of Famer Robbie Lawler at UFC 266. As excited as fans were to see the former Strikeforce titleholder back, his performance left a lot to be desired. After taking a beating in the first two rounds, Diaz threw in the towel 44 seconds into the third.

He’ll face an even tougher test this time out when he squares off with a top-15 contender who carries with him 19 career finishes against 22 total wins.

Report – Nick Diaz targeted UFC 300 comeback fight, Georges St-Pierre rematch before landing Vicente Luque clash

Booking a rather surprising comeback to the Octagon later this summer following nearly three-years of inactivity, former welterweight title…

Booking a rather surprising comeback to the Octagon later this summer following nearly three-years of inactivity, former welterweight title challenger, Nick Diaz reportedly had targeted a slew of opponents to share the stage with, before signing to fight Vicente Luque at UFC Abu Dhabi in August.

Diaz, a former undisputed and interim welterweight title challenger under the banner of the promotion, is slated to co-headline UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi at the beginning of August in a welterweight return against the above-mentioned, Luque, over the course of five rounds.

Sidelined since making a 2021 comeback, Diaz’s most recent outing came in the form of an impromptu middleweight clash against former welterweight champion, Robbie Lawler, dropping a third round TKO defeat to the veteran in their rematch.

Nick Diaz targeted Georges St-Pierre comeback fight

And booking his comeback alongside former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson yesterday at UFC Abu Dhabi in August, Diaz – according to reporter, Ariel Helwani, had pushed for a slew of other fights first, including a rematch with Georges St-Pierre, and a specific UFC 300 return against Colby Covington.

“This has been in the works for quite some time,” Helwani said on The MMA Hour. “I’ve been told, Nick (Diaz) has been pushing for a GSP fight, didn’t come to fruition., He was then pushing for a Colby Covington fight at UFC 300, didn’t come to fruition. He then – after ‘MVP’s debut and win at [UFC] 299, pushed for that fight no the June 29th, Conor McGregor card, UFC 303 – didn’t come to fruition.”

“He then pushed for Keinv Holland on the June 29th. Card, and thought that was going to be the one,” Helwani continued. “But as you know, it didn’t come to fruition… They said, ‘What about Vicente Luque in Abu Dhabi?’, initially he didn’t want to go overseas. I’m told the people in Abu Dhabi want Nick Diaz.”

Are you happy to see Nick Diaz land UFC Abu Dhabi comeback?

Report: UFC’s Nick Diaz Eyed Georges St-Pierre, More Before Taking Luque Fight

UFC veteran Nick Diaz will be making his return for the first time in nearly three years when he fights Vicente Luque at UFC Abu Dhabi on August 3, but he…

UFC Abu Dhabi Fight Card Announced; Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque to Be Co-Main Event

UFC president Dana White announced the main card for UFC Abu Dhabi on August 3, and it features the return of a fan-favorite. The card will be headlined by a…

Breaking – Nick Diaz makes return in five round fight against Vicente Luque at UFC Abu Dhabi in August

Former undisputed welterweight title challenger, Nick Diaz is set for his return to the Octagon for the first time…

Former undisputed welterweight title challenger, Nick Diaz is set for his return to the Octagon for the first time in over three years in August, taking on perennial division contender, Vicente Luque in a five round co-main event bout at UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi on August 3. from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Diaz, a former middleweight star and welterweight title challenger, has been sidelined since he faced off with former 170lbs champion, Robbie Lawler in an hiatus-snapping comeback fight at UFC 266 three years ago, suffering a third round TKO loss to the veteran in the pair’s rematch.

Nick Diaz denies withdrawing from UFC grappling match with Georges St-Pierre he's selling you wolf tickets — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Nick Diaz makes return against Vicente Luque in August

As for Luque, the Brazilian-American himself has been out of action since he dropped a TKO loss of his own against Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night Atlantic City back in March of this year. News of Nick Diaz’s return in a welterweight clash against Vicente Luque was confirmed by UFC CEO, Dana White this Wednesday afternoon.

“The main card for #UFCAbuDhabi is set!!!” White posted.

The main card for #UFCAbuDhabi is set!!!@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/yUK7VdaOAc

— danawhite (@danawhite) May 29, 2024

A promotional fan-favorite and elder brother of former UFC star, Nate Diaz, Stockton veteran, Nick Diaz snapped a lenghty hiatus in his return against Lawler in 2021, having remained sidelined since an official ‘No Contest’ fight against Anderson Silva back in 2015.

Without a victory since 2011, Diaz, a former WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting) and Strikeforce gold holder, most recently landed a unanimous decision victory over former two-weight champion, B.J. Penn.

As for Luque, the number fourteen ranked contender’s most recent win came in the form of a decision success against former lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos last August.

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 status.

Who wins at UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi: Nick Diaz or Vicente Luque?