It’s been nearly five years since Nick Diaz last set foot inside the octagon, and despite the rumors that the elder Diaz is interested in returning, UFC President Dana White isn’t optimistic about the chances of that happening.

Nick Diaz has been the subject of constant speculation over if and when he’d return to fighting. But last February, Diaz made it clear he had no intention of coming back, barring a Godfather type offer. In November though, his tune changed. Following his younger brother Nate Diaz’s defeat to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244, Nick Diaz gave an interview to ESPN where he said he was potentially interested in a return fight against Masvidal as he views the BMF title as his by right. But according to Dana White, who says his team has spoken with Diaz about a comeback, all that is just talk.

“Well I haven’t [spoken with Nick], but I know that our matchmakers have,” White told ESPN. “But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I don’t think Nick Diaz wants to fight. I don’t think Nick has that love and that passion for fighting. I think it’s sort of a love-hate relationship for him. All the things that Nick has and has done is because of fighting, but I don’t think he loves to do it.”

White is right on one count, Nick Diaz does not love fighting. He’s said so himself on a number of occasions. But, as Diaz has also said him fighting is big business. In fact, Diaz and Masvidal had been linked to possibly fighting early last year, but things never materialized. Now, with Masvidal having blossomed into one of the sports’ biggest stars, that fight would be exponentially bigger. And if Diaz does decide he wants to come back, White says they’d still be interested, but the decision rests entirely with Nick.

“That’s up to Nick,” White said. “Nick knows whether he wants to fight or not. There’s guys I think should be finished, like I think should retire, because I don’t want to see them get hurt. Maybe I feel they can’t compete at this level anymore, and there are guys they know whether they want to fight or now. They have to make that decision on their own. This isn’t baseball or basketball or one of those sports where you can go out and just half-ass it. You have to be 100 percent in if you come, especially here. If you come to fight in the UFC, these guys are the best in the world, and they’re savages that want to become world champions. If you’re not in the right mindset, this is not the place for you.”

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Matchups. Chan Sung Jung sees himself as better matchup for Alexander Volkanovski than Max Holloway.

Feud. Henry Cejudo, Jorge Masvidal feud over who is the true Fighter of the Year.

VIDEO STEW

Training with the Pitbull brothers.

Rizin weigh ins.

2017 in review.

2018 in review.

Looking back at UFC 223.

LISTEN UP

The Co-Main Event. Fan Q&A plus discussing Tyron Woodley vs. Leon Edwards.

Severe MMA. Discussing Bellator 237, Liverpool, and Cian Cowley.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Coming for the BMF title.

Possibly. Except Eugene Bareman is also in the running.

Take a good look at this man right here. In a couple days he will be the 2019 coach of the year. Coach of two dual champs first in its history, Triple C in the UFC and Patrico Pitbull in Belatore. Let’s not forget the amount of number one contenders too. #bendtheknee pic.twitter.com/dHWPaedICU — Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) December 30, 2019

Make it happen.

Good year.

2019

- Grappling Combat Titan FC ✅ W

- UFC Sunrise ✅ W

- Third Coast Grappling ✅ W

- IBJJF Miami Open ✅ 2W

- UFC Uruguay ✅ W

- UFC Denmark ✅ W

- Break top 15 ✅

- Polaris ✅ L

- Quintet Ultra ✅ 2D 1 W

- Submission Underground ✅ L pic.twitter.com/eK3EO7bIjG — GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) December 30, 2019

Confidence.

Picking fights.

He’s the one avoiding me by taking these fights https://t.co/VOEK0RyH2N — Douglas Lima (@PhenomLima) December 30, 2019

To all the haters.

I plan on fighting atleast 4 to 5 times this year I’m ready to show the world why they should pick the A side the Brooks side . I got haters but y’all know you love me cause I win and when I don’t win I knock myself out and that’s pure fuking entertainment — MoNKeYgOd (@The_monkeygod) December 30, 2019

Saw what you want still dominated #1 guy in the world — MoNKeYgOd (@The_monkeygod) December 30, 2019

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

N/A.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Well it’s the end of 2019. Happy New Year everyone, and I’ll see you all on Thursday.

EXIT POLL

Poll Will Nick ever come back? This poll is closed. 27% Yes (334 votes)

72% No (864 votes) 1198 votes total Vote Now

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