Many fans are excited about the return of Nick Diaz to the Octagon but one person may not be so thrilled – Nick Diaz.
In a one-on-one interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto he indicated that he was being forced to come back to fight and held resentment to the sport of MMA. He also questioned why he was fighting Robbie Lawler. Diaz, who has not fought in 5 years, also stated that he could fight for the title against Kamaru Usman.
Notably, Diaz skipped out on media day and the fight with Lawler was changed from a welterweight bout to a middleweight tilt. Presumably, this was done so that Diaz would not have to cut the extra weight.
Diaz did not hold back in his ESPN interview. As with others in combat sports, the sponsors, business interests and money are the reasons why Diaz is returning. Looking at the quotes from the interview, its clear that Diaz is not thrilled about prizefighting right now but sees it as a means to an end. If he can get a payday from the UFC and ancillary avenues, he can return home and be left alone the rest of his life.
Unlike his brother, Nate is more of an introvert and would rather not have the publicity and fame that comes with being a cagefighter. But he understands that the game that if he can cash checks before his body gives out, he could live comfortably away from the spotlight.
While every other fighter would have told Okamoto that they felt great and were ready to go, Diaz gave more of an introspective, thoughtful and genuine response. It doesn’t make anyone that will be watching the fight feel great about Diaz winning the bout even if Lawler has lost a step or two. It actually makes you feel bad for Diaz.
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