Nick Diaz is ‘healthy and doing good,’ according to his long-time coach, Cesar Gracie.
Gracie’s positive update on social media, alongside a glowing image of a healthy looking Diaz, had every member of the MMA community celebrating.
Diaz is a legend of the sport having fought professionally in it for more than 20 years now.
His last UFC bout came four years ago, in September 2021, at UFC 266, where he was stopped by fellow veteran Robbie Lawler in the third round.
Lawler expressed concern after his victory and reached out to ‘The Stockton Bad Boy’ to check if everything was going well in his life.
The rematch, 17 years in the making, came after a six-year lay-off, following the UFC’s suspension of Diaz in 2015 due to a third positive marijuana test.
He was scheduled to make his eagerly anticipated return to the promotion last December at UFC 310, but withdrew from a bout with fellow welterweight Vicente Luque due to ‘undisclosed reasons’.
Diaz’s cancelled fight came days after footage surfaced seemingly showing the 41-year-old behind bushes in public, which prompted widespread concern from fans about the fighter’s health.
However, his longtime friend Gracie, who is part of the family who made Brazilian jiu-jitsu famous around the world, has now diminished those worries.
“Nick is healthy and doing good,” Gracie posted on X, with a picture of Diaz looking well.
Fans were quick with their reactions to Diaz’s positive health update, with all of them sharing a similar consensus.
One wrote: “Honestly so happy to hear. Fans forget there’s a human behind these fighters. Wishing the best for Nick and his family always.”
While another added: “Great news. What an absolute legend in the fight game.”
A third said: “A living MMA legend walking among us.”
Earlier this month, Diaz’s ex-MMA rival Jason Miller told fans the UFC legend was ‘on the fight path’, although asserted the subject remains ‘very sensitive to talk about.’
In January, his best friend, training partner and former UFC fighter Jake Shields said Diaz was ‘heading in the right direction.’
“He’s doing a lot better,” Shields claimed on the OverDogs Podcast.
“I’m not going to get into anything personal with him, but he had some stuff that’s been going on for a little while.
Nick Diaz’s UFC career
Loss to Robbie Lawler at UFC 266 via third-round KO/TKO in September 2021
No-contest against Anderson Silva at UFC 183 in January 2015 (both fighters failed drug tests)
Loss to Georges St-Pierre via unanimous decision at UFC 158 in March 2013 (welterweight title fight)
Loss to Carlos Condit via unanimous decision at UFC 143 in February 2012 (welterweight title fight)
Win over BJ Penn via unanimous decision at UFC 137 in October 2011
“It’s finally heading in the right direction. So, I’m hopeful for Nick, because he’s, you know, like, a brother to me, one of my best friends.
“But you know, life is tough sometimes. Ups and downs, things can happen.”
Diaz challenged for UFC gold twice during his time in Dana White‘s promotion, which came after he had already claimed welterweight gold under the Strikeforce banner.
He lost out to two unanimous decisions against Carlos Condit and Georges St-Pierre in 2012 and 2013.
Diaz hasn’t won a mixed martial arts bout since defeating BJ Penn at UFC 137 14 years ago.
His younger brother, Nate Diaz, teased a return to the Octagon this month, claiming he wants to go back and fight for a UFC title.
Nate famously squared off with Conor McGregor twice in 2016, shockingly submitting the Irishman in their first bout at UFC 196, before suffering a majority decision defeat in their rematch.
