It seems like yesterday when Nick Diaz used to punch the soul out of his competitor in the octagon. While his last bout came back in 2021 against Robbie Lawler, his return to UFC is just months away. The 40-year-old MMA fighter will make his comeback after three years to face Vicente Luque on August 4, 2024. However, his longtime coach, Cesar Gracie, revealed that he had no involvement in Diaz’s training camp.
Recently, Gracie spoke on Submission Radio and emphasized that Diaz shouldn’t have accepted an overseas fight at this point in his career. The legendary coach also said,
“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.”
Gracie also revealed Diaz had lost too much weight to fight in the welterweight division. However, he was hesitant to predict if fans could see the 40-year-old dominating Luque as the MMA fighter did back in his good old days!
Cesar Gracie Recalls Nick Diaz’s Career’s Turning Point
In 2015, Diaz made a comeback in the octagon after two years to face Anderson Silva at UFC 183. Although the bout ended up in Silva’s favor, Diaz underwent a failed drug test. Over the course of the next few months, the Nevada State Athletic Commission handed him a five-month ban. However, after he had raised an appeal, his ban was reduced to 18 months, and he had to pay a fine of $100,000.
But, according to his long-time coach, Cesar Gracie, the ban took a harsh toll on Diaz. He revealed that the American wasn’t really at the gym or having a sparring session with his brother, Nate Diaz.
“Nick in general after the Anderson Silva thing, there was a lot of changes. I think what happened was when the commission took him out for years for the weed ban thing, whatever they were doing, I think that kind of threw him for a loop,” Gracie said.
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After so many downfalls, Nick Diaz will return to the UFC octagon. But, will he be able to beat Vicente Luque? The combat fans shall know that after Diaz returns at the Abu Dhabi event this August!
Also Read: BREAKING: Nick Diaz Gets Knocked Out In The 3rd Round In His Return To The UFC Octagon (VIDEO)
