Gilbert Melendez says teammate Nick Diaz is retired
It has been four years since Nick Diaz last stepped foot inside the Octagon. And with each new day, it looks more and more like that will have been the last time.
Having since moved to Las Vegas leaving his old home in Stockton, California, Diaz has still made claims over time that he’s looking to fight. However, that’s not what some people close to him have heard.
One of Diaz’ oldest teammates is his fellow former Strikeforce champion, Gilbert Melendez.
When the idea of Diaz making a come back was presented to Melendez, he shared what he knew.
“Our boy, Nick, he’s been retired,” Melendez said on the You’re Welcome podcast. “I would love to see him come back, but last time I checked, he’s retired. I know If anyone could come back and do it and stay on track and everything, it’s him. I’d love to see him one day, if the fight is right, I think he’ll come back out, and if the contract’s right I think he’ll come back out. But last I’ve heard, he’s hung it up.”
While Diaz’ entertaining and fan friendly career may be over, Melendez still plans to continue his despite a four-fight losing streak and drop in weight classes
The former champion’s last fight came in September 2017 and he was expected to make his return against Arnold Allen in November 2018. Unfortunately, an injury forced him out of the bout.
Melendez now eyes a return before the Summer.
Even prior to his current layoff, Melendez has been able to keep busy by doing some analyst work for ESPN and actually just got his own new show on the network alongside former UFC and WEC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz called Unlocking Victory.
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/6/2019
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Gilbert Melendez UFC
