Dana White Says UFC Has Spoken With Nick Diaz About Potential Return

Dana White has confirmed that there have been some talks with Nick Diaz about a possible return, but he doesn’t seem like he’d put money on it happening. White spoke with ESPN and was asked about whether he’s heard from Diaz who previously expressed an interest in facing Jorge Masvidal.

“Well I haven’t, but I know that our matchmakers have,” White said. “But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I don’t think Nick Diaz wants to fight. I don’t think Nick has that love and that passion for fighting. I think it’s sort of a love-hate relationship for him. All the things that Nick has and has done is because of fighting, but I don’t think he loves to do it.”

Diaz hasn’t fought since his fight with Anderson Silva at UFC 183 in January of 2015, which was originally a unanimous decision win for Silva but was overturned after Silva tested positive for drostanolone and androsterone, and Diaz tested positive for marijuana. Asked if he thought it would be a good idea for Diaz to return, White put the ball in Diaz’ court.

“That’s up to Nick,” he said. “Nick knows whether he wants to fight or not. There’s guys I think should be finished, like I think should retire, because I don’t want to see them get hurt. Maybe I feel they can’t compete at this level anymore, and there are guys they know whether they want to fight or now. They have to make that decision on their own. This isn’t baseball or basketball or one of those sports where you can go out and just half-ass it. You have to be 100 percent in if you come, especially here. If you come to fight in the UFC, these guys are the best in the world, and they’re savages that want to become world champions. If you’re not in the right mindset, this is not the place for you.”