Nick Diaz Teases Return Before the End of the Year, Calls Out Kamaru Usman

Former Strikeforce and World Extreme Cagefighting titleholder Nick Diaz might compete before the end of the year. Diaz (26-10, 2 NC; 7-7, 1 NC UFC) is preparing for his Ultimate Fighting Championship return and aims to compete in 2022. While an official opponent and date have yet to be revealed, the UFC superstar is undoubtedly willing to don the four-ounce gloves one more time. In a recent interview, Diaz claimed that he would like to face the current 170-pound kingpin, Kamaru Usman, if his return materializes.

“I’m working on the end of the year,” Diaz said to TMZ Sports. “I’m working on it. I’d rather fight for a title. If I’m gonna fight, I want to fight for a title. That’s the thing, and they want to say if I want to fight a bunch of guys and stuff like that, but I’m like, you know what, it’s a bigger fight if you just skip all the mess. I don’t want to go in there and get my ass whooped by one of those young guys anyway. And it’s not that I won’t win, it’s just that I’m not motivated to fight somebody that’s, you know... I want to fight for the title, I’m 38 years old.”

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC Fight Night 207 "Volkov vs. Rozenstruik" live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

In his latest Octagon appearance, Diaz lost to former UFC titleholder Robbie Lawler. The pair locked horns at UFC 266 in September, when the older brother of Nate Diaz was forced to retire due to strikes for the first time in his career 44 seconds into the third period. It was the first time 38-year-old Diaz had competed in more than six years. Still, he believes he has what it takes to dethrone Usman, who is chasing a boxing match with multiple-division titleholder Canelo Alvarez following his title defense against Colby Covington in November. When asked to send a message to his potential opponent, the Cesar Gracie Fight Team standout sounded concise and confident.

“I think I can beat you,” Diaz stated. “I’d love it if they gave me a shot. I think I can beat you.”