News came out recently that former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz could have his first MMA fight since his no contest with Anderson Silva in 2015. There was even a report saying that a bout between him and prospect Khamzat Chimaev was offered, but don’t get your hopes up if you’re actually a fan of this matchup.
Diaz’s manager Kevin Mubenga basically shut down the idea in a statement sent to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.
“He’s a good prospect, respectfully, but he hasn’t earned the right to a mega-fight vs. Nick Diaz,” Mubenga said. “So let’s put those rumors to rest.”
Chimaev (9-0) hasn’t fought since he knocked out Gerald Meerschaert up at middleweight last September. He was scheduled on multiple occasions to fight Leon Edwards but both men contracted COVID-19. Chimaev had lingering effects from the virus that had him contemplating retirement, but the Swedish smasher smesher is angling for a summer return.
Following the Silva fight, Diaz (26-9, 2 NCs) was memorably suspended for five years for his third marijuana violation in the state of Nevada. That heavy-handed punishment was reduced to 18 months but he’s never been particularly close to a return to competition. His last win was in 2011 against BJ Penn at UFC 137.
We await our answer as to if/when the 37-year-old Diaz will fight again. It certainly doesn’t seem too surprising that Diaz vs. Chimaev won’t be a thing.
