Everything seemed to be going well for UFC head honcho Dana White and his billion-dollar promotion this year, but as we near the end of the year and approach the final UFC pay-per-view event, UFC 310, setbacks have begun piling up.

Recently, the event faced a significant blow when welterweight champion Belal Muhammad was forced to withdraw due to a foot infection, leaving his opponent, Shavkat Rakhmonov, to be matched against Ian Garry. Now, there’s been another withdrawal from the UFC 310 card, and this time, it’s another welterweight bout—Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque.

The Stockton native has pulled out of the event, as reported by MMA Mania’s Alex Behunin on X. He wrote, “Nick Diaz is out of UFC 310. Themba Gorimbo has stepped in to fight Vicente Luque, per sources.” The reason for the withdrawal is still unknown. Diaz was supposed to make his long-awaited return to the octagon (for the first time since September 2021, to be precise) for UFC 310 after his originally scheduled fight against Luque was postponed.

As for his bout against Vicente Luque, it was initially scheduled for a UFC Fight Night on August 3 in Abu Dhabi. However, it was postponed due to Nick Diaz facing some “travel issues.” Interestingly, the UFC 310 bout was shaping up to be only his third fight in the last decade, and the 41-year-old hadn’t fought in 6 years before the TKO loss to Robbie Lawler in 2021. One of the reasons for his absence from the UFC was a dr-g suspension for m—juana use.

Why is this important? Well, the news about Nick Diaz’s withdrawal from UFC 310 came less than a week after a video surfaced online featuring someone presumed to be Nick Diaz. In the video captioned, “Footage of what appears to be Nick Diaz on the streets,” the person (who most fans believe wasn’t Diaz), shirtless, was squatting down, attempting to ignite something in the grass. The person filming the scene, audibly concerned, asked, “Nick! Are you okay?”

The supposed Nick (who sounded exasperated) lifted his arms and responded, “What?! What are you doing?” When asked again if he was okay, he replied, “Yes!” and went back to focusing on what he was doing. While most believe that wasn’t Diaz, this incident gained further attention when the fighter’s girlfriend posted an Instagram story, tagging Nick, which may have been a plea for help.

It read, “Dr-gs always come to an end. Addiction either takes your life or you become sober.” Nick Diaz and his younger brother, Nate Diaz, are well-known advocates for m—juana use. This stance led to Nick receiving a five-year suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) after testing positive for m—juana following his middleweight bout against Anderson Silva. It was his third violation, leading to a hefty fine of $165,000 and a lengthy suspension.

However, after his return six years later, his situation has only deteriorated. After his TKO loss to Lawler at UFC 266, Diaz took another extended break. With no updates on whether he’ll enter the octagon ever again, his unanimous decision win over B.J. Penn could very well be the last victory of his legendary career.

As for Vicente Luque (22-10-1), he’ll be taking on rising contender Themba Gorimbo (14-4) instead. Going into the fight, Gorimbo will have positive momentum, considering he’s won four fights in a row. He’s 4-1 in his 5 UFC outings. On the other hand, Luque has lost three of his last four bouts. That said, let’s come back to Nick Diaz and his 2021 UFC return.

The time when Robbie Lawler offered to help Nick Diaz

For casual fight fans, Nick Diaz might not hold much significance, but to longtime MMA enthusiasts, his legacy is truly unforgettable. He is remembered in many ways: as a rebellious outspoken figure, a hardcore fighter, an anti-hero, and a symbol of brotherhood and loyalty. His unyielding attitude earned him a devoted fanbase that admired him not only as a fighter but also as a symbol of defiance in MMA culture.

However, life hasn’t been easy for the multi-promotion champion. From a young age, Diaz faced numerous setbacks, but the death of the love of his life was a blow that shook him deeply. After her passing, Nick made a promise at her grave to become the best fighter, which he eventually achieved. However, his path was marred by dr-g abuse, which cost him dearly.

Even in his last fight at UFC 266, a long-awaited rematch against Robbie Lawler after 17 years, Diaz suffered a knockout loss—a disappointing outcome. Concerned about Diaz’s mental and physical state, Lawler reached out, asking, “Are you good?” The Stockton native replied, “All good, man.” Lawler then asked, “Are you good… in life?” and suggested Diaz reach out if he ever needed support, but he didn’t respond. Despite their struggles, both fighters captured the hearts of fans worldwide.

Now, all eyes are on Nick Diaz. And his brother Nate Diaz, who has remained silent on the matter, is drawing attention. Given the Stockton native’s withdrawal from the upcoming UFC 310, prompting Dana White to find an alternative, this may be the perfect moment for the Diaz brothers to break their silence and address fans. Stay tuned to this space for more updates.