Nick Diaz’s controversial UFC return is off after a ‘travel issue’ cost him an outing in Abu Dhabi next month.
The former middleweight title contender was due to fight for the first time since September of 2021 when he was stopped by Robbie Lawler at UFC 266. He had been scheduled to face Vicente Luque in a bout that divided the fanbase between those concerned for him and those eager to see him fight again.
Despite being one of the biggest names in the sport, his comeback was announced with minimal fanfare by boss Dana White. But it now seems that due to an unspecified problem with travel for one of the fighters, the bout won’t be happening.
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Nick Diaz comeback fight with Vicente Luque canceled during UFC Vegas 94
In the middle of last night’s UFC Vegas 94 broadcast, it was announced that due to an unspecified ‘travel issue’ caused the fight to be canceled. It is being reported that there is a belief within the promotion the bout will be rearranged.
Luque is currently ranked number 13 at welterweight, tied with Michael ‘Venom’ Page. Meanwhile, Nick Diaz has fought just once since 2015 when he faced Anderson Silva in a bout that was since overturned to a No Contest.
In fact, Diaz is on a lengthy losing streak dating back to 2011, including four fights. His last victory was against BJ Penn in October of 2011, well over a decade ago.
The Brazilian had a disastrous showing against Joaquin Buckley when he returned to action this March after bouts with Sean Brady and Ian Machado Garry were canceled. His last win came against Rafael Dos Anjos in August of last year,
Nick Diaz’s coach was unsure about comeback fight before cancellation
After a lengthy relationship and coaching partnership, Cesar Gracie told Submission Radio that he wasn’t heavily involved in the camp for Diaz’s comeback. He believed that the fight “didn’t make much sense”, and would likely have recommended against it.
“I’m going to be perfectly honest with you, that wasn’t my idea. If I was advising Nick, I wouldn’t have advised him to do that fight. It’s [also] in Abu Dhabi, I wouldn’t advise to go fight overseas at this point.
“Luque is a very tough guy, Nick is a tough guy, but it just doesn’t make that much sense for me where Nick is at in his career; I don’t know, it’s not the fight I would have made, and I don’t even know what’s going on with that fight to be honest with you.”
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