Former UFC fighter Nate Diaz’s elder brother Nick Diaz returned to the UFC after six years in September 2021 at UFC 266 and suffered a TKO defeat against American fighter Robert Lawler.
Diaz, 39, had to move up in weight to fight in the middleweight division in the rematch against Lawyer. After being professional since 2001, the former Strikeforce welterweight champion holds a record of 26 wins and 10 losses out of his 38 MMA appearances for multiple promotions.
After a one-year hiatus, the former UFC welterweight title challenger stated his desire to return to the Octagon in mid-2023 and fight the then-UFC middleweight champion, but he would prefer to fight New Zealander Israel Adesanya.
“You can see me back on top in 2023; I’m making a comeback. I’m going to be quicker than ever, stronger than ever, better than ever; I’m just gonna be a whole new me. Whoever is on top at the time [I want], preferably Israel Adesanya, if he gets his title back.”
Nick referred to himself as stronger and quicker than ever before, but these qualities are not enough to earn him a shot at the UFC middleweight title. Following a loss to former Brazilian kickboxing champion Alex Pereira at UFC 281, Adesanya is now completely focused on the upcoming rematch to reclaim his lost title.
The last defeat made Adesanya hungry to fight Pereira several times in the future, as even before UFC 281, the Last Stylebender lost to Paotan twice in kickboxing.
“I haven’t watched the fight again, but I don’t think I’m going to fixate on it, because it’s not one of these things that’s like, ‘Oh, goddamn it!’ I’ll fight him again. I’ll probably fight him two more times.”
However, there is a mixed reaction among all the combat sports fans regarding Nick Diaz and Israel Adesanya’s probable bout. Poll by MMAmania:
