UFC Rumors: Nick Diaz To Return 'By End Of The Year'

Fighting could be far from over for UFC superstar Nick Diaz.

The 38-year-old Stockton, California native could strap on a pair of four-once gloves later this year, according to grappling coach Cesar Gracie.

“Look for [Nick Diaz] to fight by the end of the year,” Gracie wrote on Instagram.

Prior to Diaz’s most recent Octagon appearance against Robbie Lawler at UFC 266 in September 2021, Gracie divulged that they are also exploring a potential boxing match.

“I have to see where he is in his contract,” Gracie previously told MMA Fighting. “Nick is very open to take a fight in MMA or boxing.”

However, his celebrated return to action following a six-year hiatus did not go down the way he expected as Lawler stopped him in the third round.

The former UFC welterweight title contender did not come up with any excuses for his lackluster performance.

However, Diaz admitted that he went in there with “a lot of stress” in his mind.

“I had a lot of stress coming into this one,” Diaz bared. “I’ve been off a long time. Yeah, I don’t have no excuses—I’ve been off a long time. I don’t know how this fight got set up. I had a switch-up in my whole, uh, you know, management set-up.”

“It was just a bum rap. But no excuses. I had it coming, and he was in great shape.”

Indeed, it was a noble move for Diaz to make his return at 38 years old.

Atop that, he also took on a more active fighter and former world champion in Lawler.

Despite proving that he is still a pay-per-view star, UFC president Dana White believes Diaz should probably call it a career.

“I was very impressed with his comeback in September,” White told ESPN. “I had conversations with Robbie Lawler and he had nothing but respect for him and how he fought. But regardless of how good Diaz looked, what he did after such a huge layoff, I don’t think Nick should fight.”

“He’s a grown man, he can do whatever he wants,” the promoter continued. “But I just don’t think Nick does this because he loves it. He does it because he has to do it. People always ask me what’s the key to success. It’s all about being happy and doing what you love.”