Dana White skeptical about a Nick Diaz UFC return despite matchmaker discussions

Will we ever see Nick Diaz fight in the UFC again?

No one seems to really know – not even UFC president Dana White.

In a recent interview with ESPN, White was asked about Diaz’s comments about a potential UFC comeback. White said he hasn’t spoken to the former welterweight title challenger, but the promotion’s matchmakers have. The way White sees it, Diaz (26-9 MMA, 6-6 UFC) doesn’t have “that love and passion for fighting.”

“Well, I haven’t (talked to him), 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.”

In November, on the heels of Jorge Masvidal’s UFC 244 win over his younger brother, Nate Diaz, Nick talked about wanting to get revenge on his brother’s behalf.

If Diaz is actually serious about a comeback, White said he has to be “all in”. The UFC boss indicated if Diaz only has one foot in the door, White might not be willing to book him.

“That’s up to Nick,” White 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 not. 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.”

Diaz hasn’t competed in professional MMA competition since UFC 183 in January 2015 – almost five years ago. Additionally, Diaz hasn’t won since he beat B.J. Penn at UFC 137 in October 2011. He is now 36 years old.