As Nick Diaz’s return date grows closer, the Stockton legend has sparked a wave of concern over a recent video that has surfaced online. Set to take on Vicente Luque on December 7 at UFC 310, the fight was originally scheduled to go down at UFC on ABC 7 back in August but due to travel issues, the promotion had to find a new date.

But a recent, distressing video has gone viral, showing a man who looks like the MMA legend in a state that’s left fans shocked and saddened. What could lead a fighter, once at the top of his game, to this point? How did one of MMA’s most respected figures end up here?

Concern sweeps the MMA sphere as viral video shows Nick Diaz in distress

In the viral video that has been making rounds on social media, a man bearing a striking resemblance to Nick Diaz can be seen shirtless and seemingly disoriented, lighting a piece of grass outside a business late at night. A passerby recognizes Diaz and calls out to him by name (Nick), asking if he’s okay. His response? Diaz raises his arms and states, “What? What are you doing?” and when the person recording the video repeats her question, he simply answers, “Yes”.

The unsettling sight of Diaz, visibly adrift and allegedly homeless, struck a painful chord. In a recent post shared by Casuals Corner MMA On Instagram, it was revealed, “His previous partner then put on an Instagram story saying ‘d r u g s always comes to an end. Addiction either takes your life or you become sober.’ And this video is a stark reminder that the MMA game can very much chew you up and spit you out. And it is really sad to see one of the greats not doing well whatsoever.”

MMA, for all its glory, can be unforgiving. Fighters push their bodies to the edge, enduring injuries that most people would find unimaginable. While fans see only the triumph, the bruised knuckles, and the belts, the unseen battles – the pain, addiction, and burnout – often remain hidden. For Nick Diaz, the price of this journey may have been far greater than he ever anticipated.

While the Diaz team has yet to release a statement about the video, the MMA world has seen many fighters struggle with addiction, depression, and isolation. As Will from the Casual Corner MMA account stated at the end of the video, “I just really hope that he gets the help that he needs”, echoing the sentiments of the fandom. And as UFC 310 draws closer, a former ‘champ-champ’ has laid out his concerns with the Stockton legend returning to action after a lackluster showing against Robbie Lawler at UFC 266.

Daniel Cormier wants Diaz to be “locked in” for UFC 310

Nick Diaz is a name that conjures images of grit and rebellion. But now, as he prepares for a Dec. 7 comeback against Vicente Luque, some are questioning if Diaz can still deliver the fight that fans crave. Among them is UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, who’s keeping a close eye on Diaz’s readiness, hoping the MMA legend can show up in prime form rather than merely for nostalgia’s sake.

Speaking on an episode of the ‘Good Guy/Bad Guy’ show with Chael Sonnen, Cormier stated, “I don’t want to see Nick Diaz that is just ripped. When he fought Robbie Lawler, I was so excited because I was like, ‘Man, he’s been back on the triathlons, and he looks even better than he did in his prime.’ Then when he got to the Octagon, he looked nothing like that person.”

A neck injury later came to light, one that had reportedly hindered his training. But as much as the injury explained his performance, it didn’t erase the image of a fighter seemingly past his prime. While Cormier acknowledged that Luque’s recent struggles might make him seem like an easy target as he’s lost 3 of his last 4 fights, but looks can be deceiving. According to the former ‘champ-champ’, “Vicente Luque is not going anywhere. It’s a tough fight. I think for Nick, though, he has to be really locked in if he wants to go out there and not embarrass himself.”

The recent, distressing video has also cast a lot of doubts over his readiness and raised concerns about the personal battles that might lie behind the scenes. As such, Daniel Cormier and the MMA community at large hope that Diaz will enter the Octagon prepared, not just for the sake of a fight, but to prove he still has the will to stand tall against adversity. Do you think Nick Diaz will be able to put in a classic performance at UFC 310? Or will his struggles outside the cage put an end to his comeback plans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!