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One of the UFC's most beloved fighters, Nick Diaz, returns to the octagon next month as he faces off against Robbie Lawler at UFC 266 in a rematch 17 years in the making. Diaz and Lawler squared off at UFC 47 in April 2004, where the former upset the betting odds to clinch a second-round TKO victory.
The second meeting, which sees two veteran fighters seeking to make the most of their last few years at the top level, promises to be a barn-burner. The highly anticipated bout will be a five-rounder, the second such fight that neither has a belt on the line nor is the main event.
Here are five reasons why UFC fans can't wait for Nick Diaz's comeback fight.
#5 Nick Diaz has fought only once in the last eight years
Nick Diaz is a UFC fan favorite despite having fought only once in the last eight years. His brother Nate has been relatively active in the meantime, but the elder Diaz brother has spent a long, long time on the sidelines.
Nick Diaz last fought at UFC 183 in January 2015, where he initially lost to Anderson Silva before the fight was overturned to a no-contest because of both fighters testing positive for banned substances. Diaz's last fight that ended in a result came at UFC 158 in March 2013, where he lost to Georges St-Pierre via unanimous decision.
Not only is Nick Diaz returning after a gap of six years, but he hasn't won a fight since October 2011 - almost an entire decade ago. Fans will inevitably tune in to see how Diaz fares on his UFC return.
Ring rust is a real problem that plagues most fighters, and if anyone can brave the issues with spending so much time on the sidelines, it's Nick Diaz. But only time will tell how his return will go.
#4 Robbie Lawler promises violence each time he steps foot in the octagon, and so does Nick Diaz
Two of the most exciting fighters in UFC history, Nick Diaz and Robbie Lawler, being booked to fight each other is an excellent piece of matchmaking. With both men pushing 40, they probably won't be able to hang with the younger fighters in the welterweight division.
More tellingly, both Diaz and Lawler promise violence each time they enter the octagon. 'Ruthless' has 20 KO/TKO wins in his professional career, and only seven of his 28 total wins have gone to a decision. Meanwhile, Diaz has 21 finishes in 26 pro wins.
The fact that both Diaz and Lawler are admirably durable only sweetens the deal for UFC fans. Five rounds of no-holds-barred action beckons at UFC 266 on September 25.
#3 Nick Diaz has several interesting potential next opponents
Nick Diaz's return against Robbie Lawler transcends the initial context. As one of the most marketable fighters in UFC history, Diaz has a plethora of interesting fights and storylines lined up for him, irrespective of whether he wins or loses.
If the 38-year-old wins, and looks good while doing so, he could face a step up in competition in one of the welterweight division's younger fighters. A potential matchup against Jorge Masvidal - who beat Nate Diaz for the BMF belt, which incidentally has served no purpose since the fight itself - has been on the lips of MMA fighters for a while now.
Even if Diaz loses, he could easily demand another fight from the UFC and president Dana White would be more than happy to oblige. Former opponents like Carlos Condit and fellow veterans like Matt Brown could be among those in contention to fight Nick Diaz.
#2 Nick Diaz's return comes under changed marijuana rules
Shortly after his fight against Anderson Silva, Nick Diaz tested positive for marijuana. It was his third positive test for the drug, and the Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended him for five years while fining him $165,000. Although the ban was later reduced to two years and Diaz has been eligible to fight in the UFC since December 2016, he hasn't chosen to do so.
The decision to ban Diaz came under a lot of controversy, especially since Silva had received a shorter ban for a seemingly more grevious offense. Fighters like Ronda Rousey came out in support of the Stockton native, while Diaz himself penned an emotional note following his ban.
Now, the United States Anti-Doping Agency has "essentially" removed marijuana from its list of banned substances for UFC fighters, stating that the recreational drug hasn't been proven to give fighters a competitive advantage.
The changed rules vindicate Nick Diaz's initial stance in a way. His impending return will only add weight to the claim that he has won the marijuana battle against the UFC, although he has lost a few years of his prime.
#1 Each time Nick Diaz fights in the UFC could be the last time
As unique as Nick Diaz is as a fighter, Father Time catches up to everyone. And at 38 years old, Diaz is nearing the end of his professional MMA career. Each time he steps foot in the octagon could be the last time we see Diaz in action.
As one of the most intriguing personalities both inside and outside the octagon, Diaz is an MMA legend in his own right. He may not be the best fighter the world has ever seen - Nate would disagree - but he has always has all eyes on him. In the words of Nick Diaz himself, he could be classified as the original Conor McGregor.
Nick Diaz is must-watch TV and can sell fights on his own. As a cult figure most modern UFC fans have only heard stories and watched highlights of, Diaz will have everyone rooting for him during his comeback.
