UFC Report: Nick Diaz set to make a comeback at UFC 235

What's the story?

Former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion, Nick Diaz, is expected to make a comeback to the Octagon at UFC 235 on March 2nd, 2019, against fellow welterweight, Jorge Masvidal. Diaz last competed in the Octagon in January 2015 against Anderson Silva at UFC 183 in Las Vegas. The win was initially awarded to Anderson Silva via unanimous decision but was subsequently overturned and recognized as a no contest bout.

In case you didn't know..

Nick Diaz last managed a win against welterweight rival, B.J. Penn, in a fight that Diaz won via unanimous decision. Following his win over Penn, Diaz suffered two back-to-back losses against Carlos Condit at UFC 143, and Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158. Diaz tested positive for marijuana metabolites in his interim welterweight title bout against Condit, and this wasn't going to be his last failed drug test.

Nick Diaz fought middleweight great, Anderson Silva, at UFC 183, at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. After a full quota of five rounds, the unanimous decision win went to Anderson Silva. Not too long after the fight, both fighters tested positive for illegal substances consumed according to USADA standards and regulations. Anderson Silva tested positive for Drostanolone and Androsterone, while Diaz tested positive for traces of marijuana.

Nick Diaz engaging with Anderson Silva during their last face-off!

The heart of the matter

Brett Okamoto, for ESPN, recently posted on Twitter, calling out the return of the Stockton Superstar. According to Okamoto, Nick Diaz will be returning to grace the Octagon against the number 9 welterweight contender, Jorge Masvidal, at UFC 235 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Although this fight may be the singular speculatively planned match-up at UFC 235 on March 2nd, it could also very well be the retirement fight date for double-champion, Daniel Cormier.

Breaking: The UFC is close to finalizing Nick Diaz's return to the Octagon, per Dana White. The fight is Jorge Masvidal at UFC 235 on March 2 in Las Vegas. Diaz's first appearance in more than four years. Story coming soon to @ESPN.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 15, 2018

Jorge Masvidal has also been on a temporary redundancy period post his last fight against Stephen Thompson at UFC 217 that took the stage on November 4th, last year. Masvidal was on a three-fight win streak against the likes of Ross Pearson, Jake Ellenberger, and Donald Cerrone, before his two on-the-trot losses against Demian Maia and Stephen Thompson. After failing to report his physical whereabouts in 2017 to USADA, Diaz will be looking to come clean this time around against Masvidal.

What's next?

After a four-year layoff from mixed martial arts, fight fans around the world will be eagerly looking forward to Nick Diaz's return to the Octagon.

Will Diaz sign the contract with the UFC and make his much-awaited return? Leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below!