MMA veteran Nick Diaz will be returning to the UFC for the first time in three years.
At the age of 41, it looks like the Stockon native is finally going to make a return to the octagon, and it could be as early as this December.
It looked like Nick Diaz had fought his last bout when he lost to Robbie Lawler at UFC 266GETTY
The leader of the Diaz army hasn’t fought in Dana White’s promotion since his loss to Robbie Lawler at UFC 266.
Diaz’s loss to Lawler was the first time he had appeared in a professional MMA fight since 2015, when his bout against Anderson Silva was ruled a no-contest.
Although Silva won the fight on the judges scoreboard, a few days later, both men then failed drug tests in the aftermath.
Reports this week have suggested that Diaz will return to the UFC on December 7 to fight Vicente Luque.
The two veterans were originally scheduled to meet at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi last month as part of a five-round co-main event, but Diaz was forced to pull out because of travel issues.
Now, Diaz has the chance to win his first UFC fight since 2011, when he beat down BJ Penn over three rounds at UFC 137.
The older brother of fellow UFC star Nate Diaz has fought in numerous MMA promotions aside from the UFC, including Strike Force and Elite Xtreme Combat, during his 20-year career.
Luque, 32, nicknamed ‘The Silent Assassin’, is also a legend of the sport, but has competed far more regularly than his future opponent in the past few years.
The Brazilian fought Birmingham’s Leon Edwards in 2017 and has previously traded victories with current UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad.
His most recent win came in August last year, when he beat Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas.
Vicente Luque also choked out Tyron Woodley at UFC 260Getty
Many UFC fans are sceptical about the matchup, worried that it may be a one-sided affair.
One person said: “Come on man, give the guy a fair fight. Luque is a f****** killer.”
Another added: “Easy money!! Just bet on his opponent.”
While a third commented: “No one cares, he’s gonna lose.”
UFC 310 will also take place in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena, but does not currently have a main event.
A light heavyweight bout between Anthony Smith and Dominick Reyes is the only confirmed fight of the card to date.
