Nick Diaz’s highly anticipated return to the UFC has hit a major roadblock. His fight against Vicente Luque, scheduled for next month, is officially off the table. But former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley isn’t feeling bad for Diaz. The outspoken fighter has shared his unabashed thoughts on Diaz’s public appearances, questioning his well-being after videos came out that show him in a questionable state of mental health.
Suga is relieved the fight isn’t happening. “It’s sad, man,” O’Malley said about Diaz not looking like the fighter fans once knew.
For O’Malley, safety comes first, and seeing a legend in such a concerning condition is enough to make anyone worry about his return to the octagon.
“Did you see the interview with him in the gas station? That was hard to watch. I mean he looks like a crackhead, that is sad. That’s f**king sad,” said O’Malley.
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The older Diaz brother has always been a fan favorite for his outspoken nature and controversial past. However, it was the fans themselves who raised concerns after a bizarre video surfaced online showing a shirtless man, believed to be Diaz, crouched behind bushes and setting objects on fire.
NEW: A video of Nick Diaz, by himself, shirtless in public, trying to light a random piece of grass on fire has surfaced online ahead of his MMA return against Vicente Luque on Dec. 7.
Thoughts on this video surfacing shortly after his fight with Luque got announced? pic.twitter.com/lVZZuZoFb8
— Parry Punch (@ParryPunchNews) November 10, 2024
The strange footage, released just weeks before his comeback at UFC 310, put that fight in jeopardy.
Diaz officially quits from UFC 310
Amidst circumstances that have asked questions on his mental health, Diaz officially pulled out of UFC 310.
The promotion confirmed the news during UFC Fight Night 248, citing undisclosed reasons for Diaz’s withdrawal. Zimbabwe’s Themba Gorimbo, who’s riding a four-fight winning streak, is stepping in for Diaz.
Nick, 41, hasn’t fought since a loss to Robbie Lawler in 2021, which, incidentally, was his only fight since 2015. Even against Lawler, Nick looked like a shell of his former self. His renowned ‘cardio for days’ no longer seemed to fuel him. He seemed winded, his reflexes were slow, and his power in shambles.
Luque, who is looking to bounce back from a TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley in March, will face Gorimbo, a fighter out to prove his credentials. The Zimbabwean has a chance to make his mark against a seasoned contender on a big stage and rise higher up the rankings.
