Former UFC welterweight title challenger Nick Diaz has officially agreed to terms with the Nevada State Athletic Commission on his ability to return to fight inside of the Octagon, according to a report from MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani.
Diaz was handed an 18 month suspension along with a $100,000 fine, however, Diaz only paid $25,000 of the fine and was given the deadline of December 1st to pay the rest.
Diaz was initially suspended after his bout with former UFC middleweight king Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva back in January of 2015, after Silva tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and Diaz tested over the limit for marijuana metabolites.
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Diaz was originally handed a five year suspension upon initial judging, but after much scrutinization towards the NSAC from fans and fellow fighters alike, the suspension was later reduced to 18 months.
The issues with Diaz’s fine, however, prevented him from cornering his little brother Nate who fought against Conor McGregor twice in 2016 at UFC 196 in March, and then again at UFC 202 in August. Diaz has not received a fight as of this writing, but there are many who have campaigned to step into the Octagon with the 33 year old upon his return.
A rematch with longtime rival and former UFC 170 pound Champion Georges St-Pierre certainly makes sense, as well as possible match ups with Carlos Condit, Gegard Mousasi, Anderson Silva, and even current UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping who has exchanged words with Diaz on social media in the past.
Regardless of who Diaz returns against inside the Octagon, it will be good to see the Stockton Native back home inside the cage where he belongs.
