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LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 31: Nick Diaz taunts his opponent in their middleweight bout during the UFC 183 event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on January 31, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 31: Nick Diaz taunts his opponent in their middleweight bout during the UFC 183 event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on January 31, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Former Strikeforce welterweight champion, Nick Diaz, is eyeing a return to the Octagon. He was present at the UFC 261 pay-per-view last weekend and UFC President Dana White has confirmed that the elder Diaz brother is looking for a fight. Many have tipped rising star Khamzat Chimaev to be a potential next opponent for him.
However, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, is not so keen on the idea. Abdelaziz also happens to manage Chimaev. He believes everybody, including him, the UFC, and Chimaev should go to jail if ‘Borz’ vs Diaz is booked.
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“I respect Nick, I think he has done lot in this sport, but this is to the attorney of Las Vegas. If this fight happening everybody should go to jail. Everybody should go to jail. I should go to jail that UFC everybody this is this is criminal. How are you going to make Khamzat Chimaev, One of the most upcoming fighter to fight like a guy like Nick Diaz?” said Abdelaziz.
“He’s not even ranked. I’m not saying taking anything away from Nick, Nick have his time. He built his legacy. But I don’t want to I don’t want to see this if it happened. You know, I’m not trying to go to jail. You know Khamzat is not trying to jail because it will not be good,” Abdelaziz further added.
via Imago
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 19: (R-L) Khamzat Chimaev of Chechnya punches Gerald Meerschaert in their middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on September 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Abdelaziz also pointed out that ‘Borz’ should fight Colby Covington, Neil Magny, or Jorge Masvidal next, as he is already one of the biggest stars in the UFC.
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Who should Nick Diaz fight if not Chimaev?
Diaz is a true legend of the sport of MMA. However, he hasn’t competed in almost 6 years. So, it’s understandable why Chimaev doesn’t want to take the risk of fighting him. Also, if Diaz can still keep up with the young lions of the division, is not yet known.
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 31: (R-L) Nick Diaz taunts Anderson Silva of Brazil in their middleweight bout during the UFC 183 event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on January 31, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
However, Diaz still trains regularly and should be able to mop the floor with other veterans of the game. So, who the UFC matches him up against, remains to be seen. But him returning to the Octagon is massive, and fans will tune in when the Stockton native comes back to scrap.
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Who should Diaz fight next? Let us know your thoughts.
