Nick Diaz wants back in the octagon. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Diaz '100% committed' to early 2021 UFC return

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Sep 7, 2020 5:58 PM ET

ESPN's Ariel Helwani is reporting that Nick Diaz's manager says the 37-year-old is "100% committed" to returning to the UFC in early 2021 after being away from professional mixed martial arts for over five years.

Diaz has not competed in the octagon since he faced Anderson Silva at UFC 183 in January 2015. That bout was ruled a no-contest after both men failed post-fight drug tests.

Diaz first teased a comeback in November after his brother, Nate Diaz, fell to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 in a fight to determine the (officially unrecognized) BMF champion.

Recently, Helwani and Brett Okamoto both discussed how the UFC is planning a rematch between Masvidal and Nate Diaz.

Nick, meanwhile, is "keeping an eye on the upcoming high-profile welterweight bouts." It's possible UFC boss Dana White could offer the loser of the Sept. 19 match between Tyron Woodley and Colby Covington to Diaz if Masvidal isn't an option for any reason.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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