UFC close to finalizing Nick Diaz's return vs. Jorge Masvidal
The UFC is close to finalizing Nick Diaz's return to the promotion, UFC president Dana White confirmed to ESPN's Brett Okamoto on Thursday.
Diaz is scheduled to face Jorge Masvidal at UFC 235 on March 2, per Okamato.
The 35-year-old last fought against Anderson Silva at UFC 183 in January 2015. It was originally ruled a victory via unanimous decision for Silva, but the result was overturned to no contest after Silva tested positive for drostanolone and androsterone. Diaz also failed a test for marijuana and was suspended 18 months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
"The UFC offered us Nick Diaz and obviously we said yes," Masvidal told Okamoto. "I would have loved to fight Nate, too - just because those guys are studs, man. All will. They don't have the most skills in the division, but they have maybe the most will. You can beat the s--- out of them - pain, fatigue - it doesn't matter. And I've got a lot of those same qualities. My fan base knows I'm going in there to die trying."