“I am a fighter. It’s what I am,” Nick Diaz once said. Today, those words carry a deeper meaning. 2024 was a difficult year for him considering he anticipated making a grand comeback to the octagon, but his fight got canceled twice. The first time his fight fell was in July last year as he cited travel issues as the reason. But the second time it happened, the opponent Vicente Luque wished Diaz luck as he moved on. Since then, Diaz’s fans have not been sure if he will ever return.

However, a December video of him effortlessly wielding nunchaku in his kitchen was a reassuring sight for fans, signaling that he’s still in tune with the discipline and focus that once made him a dominant force in MMA. Now adding to the positive news, the former Strikeforce champ has been actively engaging in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training. He recently posted on Instagram which read:

“2-3 high-level BJJ black belts and MMA practitioners who want to train with me in Baja during the week every day for the next few months DM. Will need to cover their expenses.”

The Nick Diaz Academy, located in Stockton, California, specializes in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, offering classes for both adults and children. Fortunately, it seems that the elder Diaz brother is back to coaching and training at his academy, a promising sign for both his students and fans. However, one lingering concern is Diaz’s request to have his training partners cover their own expenses—a detail that may spark speculation about his financial situation.

This takes us back to how he tried to sell his autographed Strikeforce gloves earlier this year, which further fueled questions about his financial stability. On top of that, troubling reports emerged suggesting a possible relapse into substance abuse, leaving the fight community deeply worried.

Rumors circulated that a pedestrian had allegedly spotted Diaz near the roadside, smoking among the bushes last year. He was shirtless and looked annoyed as the person recording the video called out to him. Meanwhile, a cryptic social media post from his girlfriend only added to the uncertainty, hinting that something might be wrong. She wrote: “Addiction either takes your life or you become sober.”

While Diaz had been going through a lot, his long-time friend and training partner, Jake Shields, came forward in Jan. 2025 to talk about Diaz on ‘The Overdogs’ podcast. He stated: “He’s doing a lot better… I’m not going to get into anything personal with him, but he’s had some stuff going on for a little while, and it’s finally heading in the right direction. So, I’m hopeful for Nick because he’s a brother to me and one of my best friends. You know life is tough sometimes with ups and downs, and things can happen.”

“Nick was dealing with something, and it’s heading in the right direction, which I haven’t felt that way in a long time,” Shields concluded. “I feel a lot better about the situation, but we’ll see. Time will tell. I’m so close to him, so it’s painful to watch him struggle with things, but I think he’s going to finally be better.”

At one point, Diaz’s struggles were so severe that even one of his fiercest former rivals felt compelled to step in. UFC legend Georges St-Pierre, once his arch-nemesis inside the cage, extended a helping hand during his toughest times. His absence raised concerns throughout the MMA world, prompting St-Pierre to reach out with a generous offer, hoping to support the Stockton native on his road to recovery.

Setting rivalry aside, Georges St-Pierre came forward to help Nick Diaz…

“If I can somehow help him [Diaz] to make money in a way that we could do something together to promote something for the fans and then everybody will be a winner,” GSP told Deeper Into the Cage in an interview in Feb. While the GOAT contender didn’t specify exactly how he planned to help, his words suggest a few possibilities.

He could be hinting at an exhibition fight, promoting one of Diaz’s future bouts, or even collaborating on a business deal—perhaps a seminar or workshop for mixed martial arts.

For the unversed, the duo was set to compete in a UFC Fight Pass Invitational grappling match back in 2023 but the bout never materialized. So this unique response from GSP isn’t all that surprising. After all, he and Diaz shared one of the most intense rivalries in MMA history, culminating in their UFC 158 clash in 2013.

The buildup to the fight was nothing short of legendary, and when they finally met in the Octagon, St-Pierre dominated Diaz, securing a unanimous decision victory.

But now, rather than revisiting old battles, St-Pierre is extending a hand in support. Thankfully, Nick Diaz appears to be in a much better place, focusing on BJJ training and coaching. With encouragement from both friends and former rivals, could a return to competition be on the horizon? Let us know what you think!