Manager: Nick Diaz has 99.99% chance of returning to the Octagon

One of the all-time best fighters on the planet Nick Diaz will return to MMA soon according to his manager who said there’s a 99.9 percent chance that nick will fight in the year 2021.

It has been six years since Nick Diaz last stepped into the Octagon for a fight that was ultimately ruled a “No Contest” opposite Anderson Silva. One must reach back to 2011 for Diaz’s last win, his return to the UFC opposite BJ Penn.

It was reported earlier this year by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani that Diaz underwent a successful 14-week diet and training routine, as well as a weight cut. Helwani also reported that Diaz was paying close attention to the UFC welterweight division and wanted to fight in early 2021. Diaz has been active on social media the past few months posting videos and pictures of his training.

As of late, UFC president Dana White has addressed this question with doubt it will happen at all. White said in August he doesn’t think Diaz is serious about a return – despite videos surfacing in September of Diaz (26-9 MMA, 7-6 UFC) hitting the gym for a mock training camp.

Nick’s manager is 99 % sure that he will return soon

Diaz hasn’t fought in more than five years – but if his manager’s prediction is correct, that will change in 2021. In a recent interview with Fanatics View, Diaz’s manager Kevin Mubenga provided insight into Diaz’s return.

“That’s the millions and millions of dollars question,” Mubenga said. “Yeah, the guy has been training. He’s been training for at least four months now straight. … Now, we’re in December – we’re what? Four months (or) five months in now?”

According to Mubenga, Diaz began intense training around August or September. In November, he took a break to avoid overtraining but is getting back to the grind this month.

“He took a little break last month and now we’re going to pick it back up in December and go into the new year hopefully with a new deal done,” Mubenga said. “(We’ll) make sure the money is right and the opponent is right and we’ll be able to move forward with all of this.”

When pressed to put a specific number on the likelihood fans see Nick Diaz back in the cage in 2021, Mubenga was extraordinarily precise.

“99.99999 (percent),” Mubenga said. “We just got to get everything else right with the organization and everything. We’ll be able to move forward. He’s been training. People want to see (that). Well, he’s been training as you can see for the last few several months. He took a little break now. Now, it’s time to get back on there and just go through it. You don’t want to overtrain and over-exhaust yourself, especially when you don’t have a date yet. But it was good to be able to go through the regimen and go through that small camp there to kind of feel everything out (and) get back with everyone (like trainer) Cesar Gracie.”

Nick Diaz has fought in the UFC 14 times, defeating the likes of BJ Penn and Robbie Lawler. He also fought for the interim welterweight title against Carlos Condit and the undisputed welterweight belt against then champ Georges St-Pierre. Diaz lost both fights by decision.

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