Dana White confirms Jorge Masvidal vs. Nick Diaz is no longer happening

MMAfighting.com

Let’s pump the breaks on Stockton’s favorite fighting son returning to the Octagon anytime soon.

During the UFC 232 post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White confirmed Nick Diazis no longer expected to return to the Octagon against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 235.

“I think that’s pretty clear,” said White. “All you’ve got to do is look at [Diaz’s] Instagram. I don’t think it looks like he’s training for a fight.”

White is of course referring to a string of social media posts Diaz shared to his Instagram story earlier this month.

In one post in particular, Diaz used the caption “F*ck UFC. It’s all about Bellator now at least they pay me. [Bellator president] [Scott Coker] is a G.”

In terms of his actual fight career, Diaz (26-9, 2 NC), a former Strikeforce and WEC champion, has not fought since his decision loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 183 in January 2015 (the loss was later overturned to a no-contest when Silva failed a drug test for performance-enhancing substances).

After the bout, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency revealed Diaz had tested positive for marijuana metabolites for the third time his in career. He was previously flagged following his 2007 win over Takanori Gomi and again following his 2012 loss to Carlos Condit.

His initial five-year suspension, along with a fine of $165,000, was later reduced to 18 months and $100,000. However, Diaz again found himself in hot water with USADA after failing to report his whereabouts on three separate occasions in 2016. He eventually accepted a one-year suspension, retroactive to April 9, 2017.

To date, Diaz’s last victory came in the form of a decision win over B.J. Penn in 2011.