UFC News: Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler official for UFC 266

Nick Diaz’s long-awaited return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship Octagon has a date.

Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler official for September

Yahoo Sports’ Kevin Iole reported Tuesday afternoon, that plans for a Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler fight are official and will go down on September 25 at UFC 266. Iole’s source was none other than UFC President Dana White.

https://twitter.com/KevinI/status/1415084459775315969

Diaz, 37, hasn’t competed since a January 2015 bout against middleweight legend Anderson Silva. The fight was originally scored as a unanimous decision win for the Brazilian. However, both failed drug tests after the fight, and the bout was overturned to a no-contest. It was Diaz’s third failed test in Nevada–all for marijuana–and led to an unprecedented five-year suspension being handed down from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Diaz (26-9 MMA, 7-6 UFC), is a former Strikeforce welterweight champion and has competed for UFC welterweight gold twice, once for an interim title. The last opportunity came against division great Georges St-Pierre in 2013.

Lawler, 39, last fought in August 2020 and lost to Neil Magny by unanimous decision. A former UFC welterweight champion, “Ruthless” (28-15 MMA, 13-9 UFC) is on a four-fight losing streak, with his last win coming in the summer of 2017.

This fight will also be a long-hoped-for rematch, as the two fought at UFC 47 in April 2004. Diaz won by second-round knockout.

UFC 266 is scheduled to take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

–Field Level Media