The 18-month suspension Nick Diaz was slapped with by the Nevada State Athletic Commission is now finally over. As of today Diaz is free to apply for a fighters license and re-commence his fighting career with the UFC. With that in mind Fighters Only becomes unofficial matchmaker and lists a bunch of fights we’d like to see get made.
Matt Brown
Although coming off back to back losses, the most recent being this past weekend at UFC 201, where he fell to a TKO defeat to Jake Ellenberger, Brown is a perennial fan favourite. What Diaz needs is someone who will engage with him and fight fire with fire. Considering the 18-month lay off it may be wise to opt for a top 10 welterweight rather than someone who is at the top of their game and sniffing at a title shot. This would also make sense for those who feel Diaz needs to work his way back up the ladder having not won a fight inside the Octagon since a unanimous decision over BJ Penn at UFC 137 back on October 29th 2011, almost six years ago!
Carlos Condit
Carlos Condit is currently booked to take on Demian Maia at UFC on FOX 21 which takes place on August 27th in Vancouver, Canada so there wouldn’t be too long to wait to; A) see the outcome of the fight and B) see if Condit comes away unscathed and ready to jump back in before the end of the year. In addition, earlier this year, following his loss to Robbie Lawler, when Condit was contemplating retirement, he did say a second fight with Diaz would light a fire under him and make him want to return to the Octagon. That wasn’t eventually required but interesting to note that although he holds a win over Diaz, Condit wants to dance with Stockton’s son one more time.
Robbie Lawler
The now ex-UFC welterweight champion will probably face some sort of precautionary medical suspension by the Georgia State Athletic Commission having been knocked out by Tyron Woodley this past weekend. That being said a fight with Diaz, which has been something fans have been demanding for quite some time, towards the end of the year, would make a ton of sense. It would allow Lawler to keep his profile high, avenge his very first knockout loss in MMA and perhaps earn another shot at the title. For Diaz, this fight, much like the Brown option, would give him an opponent in Lawler, who’d be willing to stand and bang. A win over the recent welterweight champ would also propel him to the front of the line if title aspirations are a part of his goals.
Georges Saint Pierre
At a time when rematches in the UFC seem to be very much in favor, why not re-ignite one of the most fascinating rivalries in welterweight history. The return of Nick Diaz could only be trumped by the announcement the greatest 170lb champion of all time was officially making his return. With both fighters coming back from lengthy lay-offs it would be as fair as it gets with regards to cage rust and provide Diaz with the opportunity to even the score having lost to the French-Canadian at UFC 158. When it comes to draws in the fight game there’s not much bigger than GSP and Diaz. With the UFC requiring an epic main event to top the bill for their debut in Madison Square Garden, New York City, you’d be hard pressed to match two other fighters who can tick as many blockbuster boxes as these two.
