Former UFC lightweight contender Josh Thomson wants to see Nick Diaz make one final run for the title before retiring from the sport
Nick Diaz has been on a public hiatus after his loss to Robbie Lawler at UFC 266, but as per reports, has resumed full-time training. He is also making public appearances for meet and greet, while interacting with fans. He recently hosted a meet and greet session with his apparel brand, Represent LTD, at their headquarters, mobbed by fans. Nick also detailed some elaborate plans for his future in the UFC.
Diaz zspoke to a reporter of TMZ candidly and detailed his plans for the future.
“(We’re) working on end of the year. … I’m just focused on my training right now,” Diaz told TMZ. “If I’m going to fight, I want to fight for the title. … They want to say that I want to fight a bunch of guys and stuff like that. Well, you know what? It’s a bigger fight.
“Just skip all the mess. I don’t need to go in there and get my ass whooped by one of the young guys, anyway – and it’s not that I won’t win. It’s just not motivating to fight somebody that’s – I want to fight for the title. I’m 38 years old.”
Diaz is confident that he can beat Usman and concluded by saying, “I think I’ll beat him. … I would love it if they gave me a shot,” Diaz said. Fans are however happy to see their beloved fighter in good spirits, training hard again.
Former UFC lightweight contender and arguably one of the most complete fighters in that division, Josh Thomson reacted to Diaz’s plans enthusiastically. Thomson handed Diaz’s younger brother Nate his only TKO loss ever, but has always been respectful of the Stockton boys. He reacted to the news on Twitter by saying, ‘Would love to see @nickdiaz209 return for one last shot at a title. #nickdiaz’
What went wrong with Nick Diaz at UFC 266 ?
Nick Diaz’s interview with ESPN reporter Brett Okamoto had the fans perturbed considering his willingness to fight. Although the Stockton superstar is never afraid to scrap, his physical shape before the fight left fans in a cold sweat.
The MMA community was delighted to see Nick Diaz in top shape and ripped while he was in camp preparing for Robbie Lawler. However he showed up to fight week, not in his best form, and the bout had to be moved to middleweight owing to that.
It was reported that Diaz had some problems towards the end of the camp with a switch in management. Kevin Mubenga was his manager when the bout was scheduled, but according to his former strength and conditioning coach Jose Garcia, Cesar Gracie took over the remainder of his fight camp, which forced the switch in management. Longtime training partner and MMA legend Jake Shields reacted to his fight at UFC 266 by saying, ‘ Wanted to do a fight later but was pressured to take it before he was ready. People care about money not his health’
Has Nick Diaz finally got his life outside the octagon organized, and his team set for a potential return, is a question that remains for the future.
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