‘Life is tough sometimes’ – Jake Shields provides health update on best friend Nick Diaz after UFC return was cancelled
Nick Diaz is ‘heading in the right direction’, according to his long-time friend and former UFC fighter Jake Shields.
Diaz is a MMA legend, having fought professionally in the sport for over 20 years now.
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He has locked horns with some of the UFC’s biggest stars, including Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre.
The older brother of Nate Diaz, who fought Conor McGregor twice in 2016, was scheduled to make his highly anticipated MMA return after a three year lay-off at UFC 310 in December.
But he withdrew due to 'travel issues' from a bout with Vicente Luque, who went on to submit Themba Gorimbo in the UFC’s final pay-per-view of 2024.
Only a few days after his fight with Luque was cancelled, worrying footage surfaced seemingly showing Diaz in public, which prompted widespread concern about the fighter’s mental and physical health.
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The video, which went viral on X, shows a man resembling Diaz crouched behind bushes in a public area and seemingly setting objects on fire.
Although many MMA fans around the world have shown concern for Diaz, including his own girlfriend, the UFC star seems to be on the right path now.
“He’s doing a lot better,” Shields, a long-time friend and training partner of Diaz, said on the .
“I’m not going to get into anything personal with him, but he had some stuff that’s been going on for a little while.
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“It’s finally heading in the right direction. So, I’m hopeful for Nick, because he's, you know, like, a brother to me, one of my best friends.
“But you know, life is tough sometimes. Ups and downs, things can happen.”
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Diaz has always been supportive of marijuana and was suspended from the UFC for five years in 2015 following a third positive test of the substance.
Many thought the suspension would end his career, but changes to the sports law regarding the usage of the drug have since changed, which prompted Diaz’s desire to return in 2021.
After a six year lay-off, Diaz made a return to MMA four years ago, but his return was spoiled by Robbie Lawler at UFC 266 in what was an epic rematch 17 years in the making.
After the bout, Lawler reached out to Diaz, offering support to the Stockton, California native to see if everything was good in his life.
“Nick was dealing with something and I think it’s headed in the right direction,” Shields added.
“I haven’t felt that way in a long time, so I finally feel a lot better with that situation.
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“But we’ll see, time will tell, because I’m so close to him, so it’s painful to watch someone struggling with some things.
“But I think he’s finally gonna be better.”
Thankfully, it seems like the former Strikeforce welterweight champion has the right people around him and we will hopefully see him back in the UFC for one last dance soon.
Diaz challenged for the UFC welterweight title in 2012 and 2013, losing out via two unanimous decisions to Carlos Condit and Georges St-Pierre.
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He hasn't won in MMA since overcoming fellow veteran BJ Penn at UFC 137 14 years ago.
Shields also fought under the Strikeforce banner, becoming became the promotion’s middleweight champion in 2009.
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