Nate Diaz has risen to one of the biggest names in the UFC after his two epic fights with Conor McGregor. New fans of Nate may not even realize that the older Diaz brother, Nick is the better fighter. Nick Diaz is an MMA master, and he’s returned. His suspension is over, and he can return to the octagon as soon as the UFC gets him an exciting opponent. So, who will the opponent be?
Nick is walking back into stacked welterweight and middleweight divisions with a bundle of opponents at the ready. Which weight class does Nick go to? He’s one of the greatest welterweight fighters of all-time, but his last bout was at middleweight. With years passing since his last fight I think most believe he’s too big to get back down to welterweight and will be taking fights at middleweight. I would never say Nick couldn’t get back to 170 but I still believe he’ll take a fight at middleweight for his comeback fight.
I would love to see Nick fight a contender and get contention for a belt, but the Diaz brothers don’t care about any of that. If Nick is going to accept a fight, it will only be against another big-time name with a big following that will generate a big payday. All the UFC fighters talk about money, but the first to break that barrier was Nick Diaz. He was taking about not getting paid enough close to ten years ago.
He was also the first fighter that was a non-title holder to get a piece of the pay-per-view money in the UFC. Nick doesn’t want to fight an up-and-comer that’s going to be looking to make a name for themselves off beating the legend. He’s going to want another seasoned veteran fighter such as himself. He’s also going to want it to be someone who will actually fight him. He won’t want someone who would just be looking to point him to a victory or take him down and lay and pray on top of him. We know the criteria that a fighter must have for Nick to accept the fight. So, who matches that criteria?
The first fighter that fits the criteria on everyone’s list right now is Michael Bisping. These two have had fight rumors before after they got into it a little on twitter a few years ago. We know Bisping will not be scared to box with Diaz. We also know Bisping won’t look to take him down in the fight. The two would stand and bang, and that’s what everyone wants to see. Two great boxers with great chins, great hearts, and great trash-talking ability would put on great pre-fight excitement. It would be sure to live up to the hype with a great fight. Out of all the possible scenarios, this one makes the most sense and is the most likely to happen. Now, for fun, let’s just throw out a few other options.
My next option to fight Nick Diaz in his comeback fight would be Robbie Lawler. A re-match of the ages. The two are both in similar positions in their career right now and meeting up 14 years later to settle the score once again would be a great story to advertise. Two of the greatest welterweights of all-time meeting up again years later to see who aged best. Not to mention there is no chance these two could ever have a boring fight. Their first fight was all the way back in April of 2004! That fight was the coming out for Nick Diaz after he knocked out the favorite, and at the time, one of the most promising up-and-comers in the UFC.
Robbie was a young fierce fighter who was knocking the hell out of people and was looking to do the same to Diaz. People got a glimpse of who the Diaz brothers are that night. Nick walked into that fight with absolutely no fear, walking into the octagon staring down Robbie screaming “Stockton MuthaF*****! Stockton!” That being the rough Californian neighborhood the Diaz brothers are from. Nick took all Robbie had to throw at him and taunted him during the fight, which Robbie was not ready for. It angered him and made him come forward and walk into a big left hook from Diaz. Robbie was out on his feet, leaving him to fall face down to the mat. People have been calling for this rematch for years, and if made, fans would love it.
The last option for Nick Diaz is another obvious one that fits the criteria except for the take him down and lay and pray part, which he had to do to beat him the first time. Yes, I’m talking about the greatest welterweight of all-time Georges St-Pierre. These two were on a course to meet for years before they actually stepped into the Octagon across from one another.
The fight was long awaited but not super exciting. GSP took Nick down and controlled him on the ground and won. Can he do it again? Some may say it wouldn’t be worth making because the same thing would happen again. I’m not so sure though that it would. In my opinion, they’re the two greatest welterweights of all-time. Even with the years past, I would still love to see them fight again. Maybe it’s because I’ve never wanted to see a fighter beat another fighter like I want to see Nick Diaz beat GSP. Maybe I’m the only one, but I’ll be selfish. I’d do anything to see Nick beat GSP.
Nick Diaz is one of the greatest fighters I’ve ever seen. The brothers have been my favorite fighters since I started watching UFC over 10 years ago. He set the template for what fighters are today and will always be fan favorites. I will be refreshing MMA junkie constantly to see when or if the news breaks. My brothers and I will be doing everything in our power to see Nick Diaz’s fight wherever it may be. Now, we wait.