In the UFC, Nick Diaz has earned legendary status without ever winning a belt. Through countless wars inside the Octagon, he has built a massive following in his career. However, the Stockton native’s current personal situation has left the fans concerned. His alleged girlfriend, a woman using the Instagram handle @kay209x, claimed that Diaz was forcibly abducted in Mexico, accusing family members in the process, which has sparked a major controversy. And now, as fans continue to worry about the MMA legend’s whereabouts, more bad news has emerged.     

In 2021, fans witnessed the long-awaited return of Nick Diaz at UFC 266, where he faced Robbie Lawler in a classic rematch. The fight lasted until the third round, after which Diaz chose to step away. Since then, we haven’t seen him compete inside the Octagon. The UFC even tried to book him twice against Vicente Luque last year, but both matchups were unfortunately canceled. Now, with the mystery surrounding Diaz’s disappearance, the UFC brass has made the ultimate decision to release him along with several other veteran stars. 

The UFC releases Nick Diaz alongside four other veterans 

According to a post by The Fight Bubble on X, the UFC has released several notable names from its roster—MMA legend Nick Diaz (7-7), The Ultimate Fighter Season 22 winner Ryan Hall (5-1), former lightweight title challenger Al Iaquinta (9-6), and veteran Joe Lauzon (15-12). The decision to part ways with such well-known fighters surprised many. But it was the release of Diaz that truly stood out, for a compelling reason.  

Interestingly, prominent MMA journalist Ariel Helwani revealed last year that Nick Diaz still had five fights left on his contract following his bout with Robbie Lawler at UFC 266. That’s unusual in the UFC, where fighters are rarely cut while still having multiple bouts left on their deal. Whether Dana White and company made this decision because of the Stockton native’s unpredictable situation remains unclear. But it wouldn’t be a stretch to say we may never see Nick Diaz compete again. 

However, even amid the mystery surrounding his disappearance, there are still fighters who have expressed interest in sharing the cage with the former Strikeforce welterweight champion. Recently, another former UFC and Bellator star, Rory MacDonald, revealed that he would have loved the opportunity to face the Stockton slugger. 

Rory MacDoland wanted to fight the MMA legend  

What makes a fighter a marquee figure in the sport? Sure, it’s the audience that truly makes a star. But when a highly accomplished fighter speaks with admiration about another, it elevates that status even more. That’s exactly what happened when former UFC welterweight title challenger Rory MacDonald expressed his desire to share the cage with Nick Diaz—not for competition or glory, but purely out of respect.

On the JAXXON Podcast, MacDonald explained: “I think there would’ve been a few more guys I would’ve liked to fight. Would’ve liked to fight Nick Diaz out of respect — if he hears it, he’s probably going to get offended. Yeah, it’s just another big name I grew up watching.”

Of course, MacDonald’s clash with Robbie Lawler is considered one of the greatest fights in UFC history, a battle that cemented both men in the sport’s legacy. So had the Canadian ever shared the Octagon with the Stockton native, especially under the UFC banner, it could have been another unforgettable classic, much like Diaz vs. Lawler 2 at UFC 266.

Sadly, Nick Diaz’s situation only seems to grow more complicated with each passing day, as conflicting accusations and reports continue to emerge. The fog around his disappearance keeps getting thicker. With that in mind, do you think the UFC made the right call in releasing the legend? Or should they have waited until the truth became clearer? Share your thoughts in the comments below.