While Nick Diaz has had several public interviews since signing his contract extension with the UFC, it is his former coach Cesar Gracie who has offered up the more stinging comments regarding Diaz's opponent, Anderson Silva.

Nick Diaz vs. Anderson Silva was made official several days ago, with UFC President going on SportsCenter to reveal the news and explain the implications of the fight, which takes place January 31st at UFC 183. White suggested that a win would propel Diaz back into title contention, which is something that Gracie expects to happen when the time comes for the two competitors to step inside the octagon.

"Nick is hard to knock out, he was knocked out only once in the beginning of his career," Gracie told MMAFighting.com. "Anderson is bigger than Nick, but he's turning 40 now and his chin is not the same anymore. If Nick can get in there and punch him, I think he wins this fight. Nick will turn 31 in August; he's just a kid. Anderson is fast and dangerous. I don't know who's going to win, but I know it's going to be a good fight."

According to Gracie, Diaz should also have an advantage on the ground as well but is unlikely to need it during the entire length of the fight.

"I believe it's going to be a standup fight the entire time. Nick is better on the ground, his jiu-jitsu is better, but I believe it's going to be a standup fight and it won't last five rounds. I think it will be over before five rounds, someone will get knocked out."

Transcription taken from MMAFighting.com.