UFC welterweight Nick Diaz will not be making his return to the cage at UFC 310 against Vicente Luque as he has withdrawn from the bout.
First reported by Alex Behunin.
No reason has been given for the withdrawal as of yet. Themba Gorimbo will step in to face Luque in Las Vegas.
Gorimbo (14-4) may have manifested this at his post-fight presser following his win over Niko Price in October. He asked to be a fill-in against Luque should Diaz fall out of the fight. Gorimbo holds wins over Takashi Sato, Pete Rodriguez, Ramiz Brahimaj and Price in his UFC run.
Diaz (26-10) last fought at UFC 266 in 2021 where he lost against Robbie Lawler. He holds victories over BJ Penn, Josh Neer, Gleison Tibau, Frank Shamrock, KJ Noons, and Paul Daley to name a few.
Diaz is one of the many ‘what if’ stories in MMA history. He was suspended for 5 years by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in 2015 following his fight against Anderson Silva. The fight was turned to a ‘No Contest’ following Silva’s positive test for PEDs.
Multiple positive tests for marijuana seemed to hinder his career and ultimately got earned him the suspension by NSAC. Many came out in his defense including Joe Rogan and Ronda Rousey, but Diaz did not make his return to fighting until 2021.
No word as to what the promotion plans to do with Nick Diaz.
UFC 310 takes place at T-Mobile Arena on Dec 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
