Nick Diaz has some elaborate plans for his return possibly later this year – eyes Kamaru Usman for a title shot
Nick Diaz has emerged as one of the biggest superstars in the game today. Even though he lost his last fight against Robbie Lawler at UFC 266, it was surreal to watch the older Diaz brother in action and throw some creative combinations. It was earlier reported by his coach Cesar Gracie that Diaz is eyeing a return at the end of 2022.
Diaz was on a public hiatus after the loss, 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 spoke 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.
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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