Former UFC interim title challenger Nick Diaz has targeted a return to the cage early in 2021 – as per reports. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani took to social media and shared the news of Diaz’s imminent return. Kevin Mubenga, who has played the role of manager to the Stockton native, passed on a video grab that showed Nick in incredible shape.

What’s more, it seems as though Diaz will make his comeback at 170-pounds, a division he’s familiar with. However, the competition is largely new with several fighters in the top-10 who are classified as the ‘new guard’. Stockton’s favorite son plans to return almost 6 years removed from his last fight that took place in 2015.

Additionally, Nick has plenty of mileage in the fight game, having started off his professional run back in 2001. Around 20 years later, he has set his sights on making his third resurgence in the UFC. However, his return to the UFC’s cage has a lens of anticipation by fans given the fact that he seems to be in good shape.

Nick Diaz: Turning back the clock

The 37-year-old had an interesting go during his second stint in the UFC that lasted from 2011 to January of 2015. However, he only fought 4 times during that time span, albeit against insanely high-level opponents. His returning run included B.J Penn, Carlos Condit, Georges St-Pierre, and Anderson Silva in the aforementioned order.

He managed to go 1-2-1 during this stint. However, things would go south in his final fight against “The Spider”. Nick Diaz faced a hefty 5-year suspension following the news that he tested positive for marijuana metabolites. Multiple appeals to the NSAC finally saw the ostensibly unjust decision overturned to a no-contest.

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Until some time ago, it seemed as though Diaz had no interest in re-entering the competitive sphere. Additionally, his experience facing the who’s who in MMA will prepare him mentally for a comeback. He has been training alongside his younger brother Nate on many different occasions, as seen on social media.

The Welterweight division is currently stacked with top-tier competition, with champion Kamaru Usman at the helm. Moreover, the injection of Nick Diaz into the mix is sure to add another element of exciting match-making.