Well, it looks as though at least one of the Diaz brothers is back in the good graces of the UFC. Nick Diaz has signed a three fight contract extension and will return to action in early 2015. However, as of now his brother Nate is still upset with his current contract situation.
UFC President Dana White tweeted the news of Diaz coming back to the UFC just minutes ago.
Diaz spoke with UFC.com about his hiatus away from the sport:
“I’ve been doing a whole lot of not getting punched around-type stuff,” Diaz said Thursday afternoon at UFC headquarters. “I’ve been staying in shape pretty good, doing a lot of running. It’s been a good experience having this much time off.”
Diaz (26-9, 1NC) last competed at UFC 158, losing a unanimous decision against then UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. He has lost his last two fights with his last win coming against BJ Penn at UFC 137 in 2011.
Diaz is a fighter’s fighter and fans love to see him in action. He ‘moves the needle’ according to Dana White, and that’s probably the biggest reason why the UFC was able to get him back into action since those type of fighters don’t grow on trees so to speak. Diaz spoke about his eventual return.
“Next year I guess, whatever though. I can fight tomorrow; tonight,” he said. “You have to do what you have to do. … [I came today] to sort things out with Dana White and Lorenzo [Fertitta].
“It was hard times for a little bit, but people act like I’ve been doing nothing. I’ve been getting some things done. Just because I’m not getting punched around every day doesn’t mean I’m not focused on what I’m doing. Now, here we are.”
“I’d like to fight for the title,” Diaz said. “I think that would be a big deal and worth fighting for. I want fights that will lead to a title fight. Whoever is in line and whoever has the title, that’s who I’m going to be fighting.
“I’d be interested in fighting [Anderson Silva] and anything that’s going to do well,” he continued. “As far as Anderson Silva, I think that would be a great fight for people to see because he has my type of style.”
Who would you like to see Diaz fight in his first fight back in the UFC?
Anderson Silva please. Thank you.
Loser of Lawler vs. Brown would be nice option too. GSP.