Next month, Diaz was supposed to make his long-awaited return to the UFC in a welterweight contest again Vicente Luque at UFC 310; however, on Saturday, MMA Fighting confirmed that Diaz withdrew from the upcoming event and will be replaced by rising contender Themba Gorimbo. Alex Behunin was first to report the news.
One of the most beloved figures in UFC history, the 41-year-old Diaz has fought just twice over the past decade. Most recently, Diaz lost to Robbie Lawler by TKO at UFC 266 after six-year hiatus from the sport. He was originally scheduled to face Luque at UFC Abu Dhabi in August but the bout was postponed due to travel issues for Diaz.
The 32-year-old Luque is on a tough run in his career at the moment. Still ranked No. 14 in the UFC welterweight rankings, Luque has lost three of his past four fights, most recently getting knocked out by Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlantic City.
Gorimbo seemed to know something like this could happen again as earlier this month he lobbied for the opportunity to step in for Diaz if necessary. Now, âThe Rockâs favorite fighterâ gets his opportunity as he steps in against Luque riding a four-fight winning streak.
UFC 310 takes place Dec. 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is headlined by a flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura.
Good. The guy doesnt need any more trauma to his brain.
The UFC never should have offered him another fight.
He is cooked. No need to see him get beat up.
Did anyone actually expect him to make the walk hahaha
I bet some actually did. If this was PFL or Bellator they wouldâve promoted this as the main event.
Lol when they initially had them fighting in Abu DhabiâŚ
That was even more of a joke.
I wish Nick all the Best
Flippin heck, didnât realise he was still going. Has he done a bunk again?
I actually looked at houses in Stockton, I live in the middle of nowhere, thereâs even less to do there.
After he laid on ground vs Anderson Silva his career was over, plus he literally said he didnât want to fight Robbie, who is this guys manager?
5 paragraph announcement and not even a hint of why heâs being pulled (officially at least). Either way his career should have ended years ago. No desire to see a shadow of the shell of Diaz
Meth is a hell of a drug
âHe will never fight againâ - Fans react to UFC 310 losing another big matchup as Nick Diaz allegedly pulls out amid drug rumors, replacement reported
Had my doubts to begin with, then the gf put that video out and it just confirmed he would not be fighting
Have him fight BJ Penn on bum fights