Widespread concern for Nick Diaz erupted across the MMA community after a video surfaced online showing a shirtless man who looked remarkably like the Stockton, California native. In the footage, someone behind the camera could be heard asking, “Nick? Are you okay? Are you alright?” . The man in the video was widely presumed to be Diaz. Not long after, his girlfriend stunned fans by tagging him in an Instagram story that seemed to allude to his battle with dr-g addiction, sparking growing concerns among his supporters.

Nick Diaz and Vincente Luque were previously scheduled to take on each other at UFC on ABC 7 on August 3, in Abu Dhabi, but the fight didn’t happen because of ‘travel issues; faced by the latter. Nick Diaz, who made his last appearance in the cage back in 2021, was set to make a long-awaited return at UFC 310 against Vicente Luque. However, the fight was unexpectedly called off after Diaz withdrew for reasons that haven’t been made public.

Luque was preparing himself to face the best version of Diaz. While speaking to Kevin Iole on his YouTube show he threw some light on his preparation. He said, “Yeah I mean I think the Nick Diaz fight and had a lot of things. I think that the hype for that fight was huge. That was the biggest thing that, in my mind was like, ‘This is gonna be a really good fight to get that hype’. Now, when I saw him as an opponent I always looked at him as the best Nick Diaz.”, also adding, “My plan is to get to the championship belt. So, if I’m training to fight guys that are not as good as me, or not as a good as they used to be, I’m not going to be the best version of myself.”

Although the exact reason for the pullout is not known as of yet, fans feel Diaz might be struggling in his personal life currently. However, the fans had been eagerly anticipating Diaz’s return to the octagon, especially since his last fight ended on a disappointing note. Facing Robbie Lawler at UFC 266 in 2021, Diaz suffered a TKO loss after choosing not to get back up and continue the fight. It was a moment that left many stunned, as it was hard to reconcile this version of Diaz with the warrior who had once stood toe-to-toe with legends like Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, and B.J. Penn.

Vicente Luque is now ready for his next opponent Themba Gorimbo but hopes that the 41-year-old recovers from his current situation. However, it’s only the Brazilian who has shown concern for the fighter. Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is also worried for the 41-year-old as he was once a fan of the fighter.

Kamaru Usman shows concern for Nick Diaz after his video went viral

Nick Diaz, a name synonymous with grit and tenacity in MMA, has recently found himself at the center of concerning rumors. To see a fighter of his caliber struggle with his life outside the Octagon has raised concerns among many people. One such person is Kamaru Usman who while speaking to Henry Cejudo shared his concerns. While speaking to ‘Triple C’, the former welterweight champion shared his honest opinion as to why he was a bit upset with the entire scenario.  ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ first pointed out why it was tough for the Brazilian fighter to deal with the situation.

Luque has been preparing for this particular fight but unfortunately for him, he will now have to face a new fighter. Usman then wished Diaz a speedy recovery and said, “First of all, whatever is going on with Nick, I wish him well, I hope he is able to get that help, and he’s able to get back on track. Because we love Nick Diaz and everything Nick Diaz has done for the sport of MMA, you know. I am a fan of Nick Diaz. So yeah, we hope that he is okay. We hope that he is able to get back in there and compete or if not, we just hope that he is okay.” 

Nick Diaz’s journey has always been about battling adversity and discovering purpose through martial arts. A black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Cesar Gracie, Diaz is well-known for his fiery personality and outspoken demeanor. The legacy he and his brother Nate have built continues to inspire countless fighters who have risen from tough beginnings. Seeing Diaz in his current state is devastating, especially for those who have followed his career and admired his resilience over the years.

Will the elder Diaz ever return to action again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.