Nick Diaz, the former Strikeforce Welterweight champion, made a highly-anticipated return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in September 2021, facing off against Robbie Lawler in a rematch of their 2004 clash. However, according to Diaz’s longtime teammate and friend, Jake Shields, the Stockton native had not trained in mixed martial arts (MMA) for almost five years leading up to the fight.
Diaz’s last fight prior to the Lawler rematch had been in January 2015, when he lost to Anderson Silva. After that, he stepped away from the sport, not setting foot in the gym for a staggering five years. This lack of preparation was a major concern for Shields, who expressed his doubts about Diaz’s chances against the seasoned veteran Lawler.
“I thought he was gonna get embarrassed,” Shields said on Jaxxon, acknowledging the significant time Diaz had spent away from the sport.
Diaz’s decision to return to the Octagon after such a lengthy absence was a bold one, especially considering the caliber of his opponent. Lawler, a former UFC Welterweight champion, had been an active competitor during Diaz’s hiatus, maintaining his place among the division’s elite.
Despite the odds being stacked against him, Diaz stepped into the Octagon, determined to recapture the form that made him a fan-favorite during his prime. However, the lack of training time showed, as Lawler secured a third-round technical knockout victory over the returning Diaz.
This defeat, while disappointing, has not deterred Diaz from continuing his MMA career. The 40-year-old is now set to face Vicente Luque, the No. 13-ranked welterweight contender, in the co-main event of UFC’s upcoming event in Abu Dhabi next month.
As Diaz prepares for his next challenge, the question remains: Can he regain the form that made him a Strikeforce champion and a perennial contender in the UFC, or will the lack of recent training continue to hinder his performance in the Octagon?
