Nick Diaz is currently planning a return to mixed martial arts competition after five years away from the sport.
The 37-year-old hasn’t won since a 2011 decision over B.J. Penn, so naturally, figures such as Dana White doesn’t have “any expectations” for his return. His former rival though, remains optimistic. According to Georges St-Pierre, if the “very underrated” Diaz feels as sharp as he was before, he should return as he still has a shot at being world champion.
“I wish him the best, I love to see him fight,” St. Pierre told ESPN. “I just wish and hope that he comes back as good or even better than he was. Because I believe he can be champion, man.
“He has a crazy style. He comes forward, and his game is very, very, very underrated. When you fight him, you feel claustrophobic,” GSP explained. “He’s taunting you and playing with your mind. He’s very well-rounded.
“I think he can go up there and cause a lot of problems to a lot of guys. I always said it, I believe when Tyron Woodley was champion, he should have gone and fight Tyron. It would have been a great fight for the fans, and I think he would have had a chance to win because of the style.
“Now, the champion is Kamaru Usman, who’s a different style of fighting. I don’t know how he’s going to match with that, but I think he should give it a shot before it’s too late. He’ll regret it. If he feels as sharp as he was or even better, he should do it.”
After getting “a little out of control” partying in Las Vegas during his retirement, Diaz has returned to training regularly in recent months, and looks to have gotten back in great shape again. As for actually being as “sharp” or “better” than he was before, well that’s a different thing altogether, and it’s something only his team will really know.
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