When news broke about Nick Diaz’s plans to return in early 2021, he was met with a lot of questions – notably, will this really happen at this time?
Count UFC President Dana White who is suspicious.
According to ESPN’s manager Kevin Mubenga, Diaz has a 14-week diet and training method, with a weight cut to get somewhere in the 165-175 pound range. More importantly, Mubenga also said that Diaz would “keep an eye” on some of the big welterweight matchups coming to the UFC, and that the one-time welterweight title challenger plans to return in early 2021.
After DWCS Season 4: 6 weeks, White spoke to members of the media and was asked about reports of Diaz’s possible return.
“The Nick Diaz thing: First of all, we would never have presented it or done it,” White told reporters backstage at UFC Apex. “We’ll see how this thing works. I have no expectations, whatever. We’ll see what happens. ”
Diaz, 37, has not competed since leaving a unanimous decision for Anderson Silva at UFC 183 five years ago; The loss was reversed in a contest after both competitors failed drug tests. It has been almost 9 years since he won the unanimous decision on the second pen in the main event of UFC 137 in October 2011, when he won his last fight.
After a five-year suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission, which was postponed for 18 months, fans repeatedly came up with the idea of Diaz compensation against him. Despite a long absence from the competition, its star power has increased.
When White was asked if there had been a discussion with Diaz’s camp, he did not close the door on the idea. But it certainly doesn’t seem overconfident.
“Yeah, there’s been talk,” White said. “But there has been talk for years.”
