Gilbert Melendez Says Right Fight Would Bring Nick Diaz Out Of Retirement

Retired UFC welterweight fighter, Nick Diaz has been sitting idle since his decision loss to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158 this past March.

The former Strikeforce welterweight champ and on-again-off-again middleweight fighter has said he will never fight again.

His team Gracie teammate and UFC lightweight contender, Gilbert Melendez, has taken to the UFC 166 media event and told the press that if given the right fight, Diaz may return to action.

“I think with the right opportunity, for the right thing, he’ll come out,” said Melendez. “Whether it’s boxing, whether it’s kickboxing, whether it’s whatever, some sort of challenge would be great.”

“I don’t think he has the desire to be a stepping stone or he doesn’t want to play that role. Sometimes you have to come back up the ladder in your career and I don’t think he wants that. I think he wants to fight top-level competition. He doesn’t need to fight just to take it.”

“Nick is forever ready. He’s always in shape, he’s always sparring, he’s always grappling. He does triathlons, he’s in better shape than most guys who are relevant now in the game.”