In a show-stopping bid to deliver an epic card for UFC Abu Dhabi, Dana White has brought back two combat sports icons, keen to write the final chapters of their remarkable careers.
With a spring in his step, the esteemed businessman took to social media to drop one of his ever-popular announcement videos, where he dished out fights like presents on Christmas morning.
Nick Diaz will fight Vicente Luque at UFC Abu Dhabi
In news that has left UFC enthusiasts positively salivating, Dana White confirmed that the great Nick Diaz is officially back and ready for business.
Before his younger brother, Nate Diaz, submitted Conor McGregor in one of the biggest upsets in sporting history, it was he who was the number one star in the 209 area code.
Blessed with remarkable boxing skills and an unrelenting will to win, the American quickly captured the love of the fans. But it was his crazy attitude that really propelled the BJJ black belt into global superstardom.
To put it simply, Diaz was a gangster, both inside and outside the cage. His compelling antics, from lying down during his fight against Anderson Silva, to screaming abuse at Robbie Lawler in the middle of their bout, have earned their own special place in UFC folklore.
Therefore, while the 40-year-old looked a long way from his best in his rematch with ‘Ruthless’, his hardcore fans are still drooling at the prospect of seeing their hero back in action.
And the man honored with the right to share the cage with Diaz is none other than Vicente Luque.
The Brazilian has gone through tragic health scares in recent times, with the formidable operator suffering a harrowing brain bleed.
But in a testament to his commendable powers of self-belief, the striker has battled back from the brink to earn his shot at Diaz on August 3.
Tony Ferguson makes his comeback at UFC Abu Dhabi
While the Tony Ferguson we all know and love is undeniably long gone, ‘El Cucuy’ still possesses an aura that’s seldom found even among the most popular of UFC athletes, which is why White rejoiced in confirming his grand return.
While many mock his quirky traits, there’s something compelling about the Mexican-American, with viewers deeply invested in what the maverick will do in the cage.
Sadly, his trademark victories over the likes of Kevin Lee and Donald Cerrone are firmly in the rearview mirror; but with his itch to compete still niggling away, the beloved sportsman isn’t willing to give up on his dream just yet.
Rolling the dice one more time, the 40-year-old will take on Michael Chiesa in a match-up that pits two fan favorites against each other in a cracking collision that will have fans on the edge of their seats.
But before we all turn our attention to the Middle East, there’s a monumental collision coming up this weekend to attend to first.
The two icons have both been added to the main card
Alongside the announcement that both Diaz and Ferguson will be making their return for the UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, the main card is now complete:
- Cory Sandhagen vs Umar Nurmagomedov
- Marlon Vera vs Deiveson Figueiredo
- Vicente Luqie vs Nick Diaz
- Mackenzie Dern vs Lupita Godinez
- Tony Ferguson vs Michael Chiesa
Whilst the headlines will understandably be dominated by Diaz and Ferguson in what is likely to be their last foray in the UFC, the main event will also see the next contender for the bantamweight title emerge.
Earlier in the month, Sandhagen pinpointed Umar Nurmagomedov’s ‘vulnerability‘ and explained that he has all of the tools needed to drag the Russian into deep water.
UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs Nurmagomedov takes place on August 3, live from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.