Nick Diaz: Tell Roy Jones Jr. To Buy Out My UFC Contract So We Can Fight

Retired UFC welterweight Nick Diaz has been in the news a lot lately, but it’s all been for him talking about fighting rather than any actual fighting. He first showed up at UFC 171 to heckle Johny Hendricks at the weigh-ins, followed it up by calling out for an immediate title shot after losing two straight and taking over a year off, and said he isn’t planning on coming back unless he gets certain high dollar amount to fight in the Octagon.

Needless to say, the polarizing Diaz is up to his old tricks after a short stint away from the spotlight. While he was offered a fight against Hector Lombard, Diaz isn’t taking the bait. Instead, he has another idea (imagine that).

Speaking at last Saturday’s Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley boxing match, Diaz told FightHub he’d get into boxing if decorated champ Roy Jones Jr. would only buy out his UFC contract:

“If I get somebody to buy my contract out from the UFC, I’d be out here fighting too. Tell his (Jones Jr.’s) guys, buy my contract so we can fight. Get a real fight. I’d like to fight 167 (pounds) if I was fighting boxing but it’s whatever. That’s the weight I fought at originally, I fought like one pro fight.

I have a lot of boxing experience, of course, work with a lot of different fighters, but sparring is different than fighting. Hey, I’d love to see what I can do. It’s always up to Dana White, it’s always up to who’s got the real money.””

Once again, money is at the heart of the matter concerning the Diaz boys. Nick’s brother Nate has also famously been in the media for requesting “Justin Bieber money,” but when it’s all said and done, winning fights is what really matters.

The Diaz brothers are 1-4 in their last five UFC bouts. While there’s no question that their names and exciting styles bring viewers in droves, at some point they need to win one of those big match-ups they keep talking about.

That’s when the real money will start rolling in.

With a frenetic boxing game and high-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the outspoken brothers are a tough out for most high-level competitors. However, they’ve largely failed against bigger, stronger wrestlers, making their career paths very arduous ones in the stacked UFC welterweight and lightweight divisions.

It doesn’t seem like he’ll take any sort of a warm-up fight, especially if he turned down one of the division’s rising contenders in Lombard. As far as going to boxing, Diaz is still under contract with the UFC, and they won’t be letting him go anytime soon.

He could get a gift-wrapped title shot and that big payday he’s been clamoring for. But he had better win, because three straight title losses will undoubtedly take most of the weight from his words. 

Photo: Eric Bolte for USA TODAY Sports