Ali Abdelaziz
The UFC are trying to matchup Nick Diaz against Khamzat Chimaev on his return
Nick Diaz, ‘The Stockton Slugger’, the older Diaz brother, the OG Diaz, has hinted at a possible return to the octagon. He was one among the attendees at the recently concluded blockbuster UFC 261.
Diaz hasn’t stepped inside the octagon since 2015, when he took on the legendary Anderson Silva at UFC 183. The match was later deemed a no-contest after both the fighters tested positive for banned substances.
Diaz was then banned for 5 years due to marijuana usage. However, the ban was later reduced, but by then Diaz started drifting away from the fight scene.
Recently, last September, Diaz’s manager announced that Diaz was willing to return to the octagon. His recent training photos also seem to indicate that the ‘West Coast Gangster’ is very much in shape.
The recent development is that the UFC is trying to set up a fight between Nick Diaz and Khamzat Chimaev.
Now, Chimaev who had a stellar 2020, notching up three wins in no time, after making his debut only in mid-2020, had been struggling with the long-term effects of the coronavirus. He has now on the road to full recovery and is expected to make a comeback.
Chimaev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz spoke to Brett Okamoto of ESPN, claiming that it would be absolutely criminal on the UFC’s part for making someone dangerous like Khamzat fight against a veteran who hasn’t fought in ages.
Abdelaziz said:
“I respect Nick Diaz. I think he deserves a lot of respect…But, if this fight happens, everybody should go to jail. I should go to jail, the UFC, everybody…This is criminal. How are you gonna make Khamzat Chimaev, one of the most upcoming fighters, to fight a guy like Nick Diaz. It is not even right.”
Abdelaziz also acknowledged what Diaz had accomplished in his career, but still reiterated that he didn’t want to see the fight happen:
“I’m not taking anything away from Nick. Nick had his time, he built his legacy. But, I don’t want to see this.”
Abdelaziz manages a legion of highly talented fighters, and one among them is number 2 ranked lightweight Justin Gaethje.
The ‘Highlight’ hasn’t stepped inside the octagon in quite a while, with his last fight coming against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254, back in October 2020.
Abdelaziz recently spoke to the Schmo, revealing what the future holds in store for Gaethje. He said that Gaethje wouldn’t return unless he is given a top-ranked opponent.
He further justified his claim by saying that ‘The Highlight’ is currently in an important phase of his career, where he wouldn’t just fight a nobody.
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