Nick Diaz
Nick Diaz almost stepped back into the cage this year, at least if you believe Dillon Danis. According to the polarizing grappler, serious talks were already underway for him to welcome the UFC legend back to MMA. Those plans quietly fell apart behind the scenes due to ongoing concerns over Diaz’s mental state.
Chasing a Million-Dollar Payday With Nate Diaz
Nick wasn’t even the first choice. At 33, Danis has been desperate to get his combat sports career back on track after a nasty training cut forced him out of an August bout with Mike Perry—a pull-out that only gave fans more ammunition to claim he ducks fights. Even so, Danis went straight back to hunting for a big-money showdown against Nate Diaz. He insists Nate walked away from a seven-figure payday, baffled as to why an opponent who considers him “easy work” would turn down a million bucks and a guaranteed $250,000 pull-out clause.
Why the Fight With Nick Fell Apart
Once Nate passed on the money, the focus shifted to his older brother. Danis let it slip during a pre-fight media scrum that Nick had actually agreed to face him after the Perry bout before personal struggles got in the way. That didn’t stop Danis from talking his usual trash, though. He bragged that he would ragdoll Nick and even claimed he could beat both Diaz brothers in the same ring on the same night, insisting neither guy has the wrestling or submissions to trouble him.
Where Both Fighters Go From Here
With no Diaz brother in sight, Danis is sticking to grappling for the time being. He is set to headline Real American Freestyle Wrestling 14 this Friday against Arman Tsarukyan, hoping to snap a two-match losing skid under the RAF banner after dropping contests to Colby Covington and Khamzat Chimaev. As for Nick, it has been about eight months since he first hinted at a comeback following a rough stretch in the public eye.
