He's back @nickdiaz209 just signed a new bout agreement 2 fight! Details coming soon http://t.co/coguxLGhUI pic.twitter.com/BGlZriJjMW — Dana White (@danawhite) July 24, 2014

Nick Diaz has come out of retirement and has signed a three-fight deal with UFC. He plans to return to the Octagon in early 2015. Diaz, who has been out of action since March 2013, has hinted at a return in recent months.

“I’ve been doing a whole lot of not getting punched around-type stuff,” Diaz said Thursday afternoon at UFC headquarters. “I’ve been staying in shape pretty good, doing a lot of running. It’s been a good experience having this much time off.”

While he probably won’t be fighting for several more months, Diaz says he’s ready to throw down any time.

“Next year I guess, whatever though. I can fight tomorrow; tonight,” he said. “You have to do what you have to do. … [I came today] to sort things out with Dana White and Lorenzo [Fertitta]. “It was hard times for a little bit, but people act like I’ve been doing nothing. I’ve been getting some things done. Just because I’m not getting punched around every day doesn’t mean I’m not focused on what I’m doing. Now, here we are.”

As for who his next fight will be against, Anderson Silva is an obvious choice, based on their history.

“I’d like to fight for the title,” Diaz said. “I think that would be a big deal and worth fighting for. I want fights that will lead to a title fight. Whoever is in line and whoever has the title, that’s who I’m going to be fighting. “I’d be interested in fighting [Anderson Silva] and anything that’s going to do well,” he continued. “As far as Anderson Silva, I think that would be a great fight for people to see because he has my type of style.”

Dana White acknowledged the likely matchup, but said Silva won’t be healthy until February 2015:

There is no update on Anderson vs Diaz. Anderson can't fight till Feb. Lorenzo and I have not even talked to Anderson. — Dana White (@danawhite) July 24, 2014

For more on Diaz’s return, visit UFC.com.