History of Nick Diaz in Timeline

Nick Diaz is an American professional mixed martial artist and boxer, primarily known for competing in the UFC's Welterweight and Middleweight divisions. A former champion in Strikeforce, WEC, and IFC, he also challenged for a UFC title. Diaz has fought in various promotions like PRIDE, EliteXC, DREAM, and Shooto. He is the older brother of fellow fighter Nate Diaz, and together they are considered influential figures in MMA.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

August 2, 1983: Nick Diaz Born

On August 2, 1983, Nicholas Robert Diaz was born. He is an American professional boxer and mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

2001: Professional MMA Debut

In 2001, Nick Diaz became a professional mixed martial arts fighter just after his 18th birthday and won his first fight, submitting Mike Wick with a triangle choke at IFC Warriors Challenge 15.

July 2002: IFC Welterweight Champion

In July 2002, Nick Diaz became a champion in his second professional fight, defeating Chris Lytle for the IFC Welterweight Championship at IFC Warriors Challenge 17.

2003: WEC Welterweight Champion

In 2003, Nick Diaz defended his IFC Welterweight Championship and won the WEC Welterweight Championship at WEC 6, submitting Joe Hurley with a kimura.

2004: Diaz wins US Purple Belt Open

In 2004, Nick Diaz won the US Purple Belt Open title in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

April 2005: Diaz makes professional boxing debut

In April 2005, Nick Diaz made his professional boxing debut against Alfonso Rocha at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento, California, winning by unanimous decision after four rounds.

2005: Diaz wins Pan-American Brown Belt title

In 2005, Nick Diaz won the Pan-American Brown Belt Medium Weight Division title in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

January 2007: GFC Fight Scrapped

In January 2007, GFC had Diaz scheduled to fight Thomas Denny, but due to poor ticket sales the event was ultimately scrapped.

April 10, 2007: Diaz Fails Drug Test

On April 10, 2007, the Nevada State Athletic Commission announced that Nick Diaz failed a drug test taken shortly before his win over Gomi, testing positive for marijuana Metabolites. The NSAC declared the fight a "No Contest" and suspended him for 6 months with a fine of 20% of his earnings ($3,000) won from the fight against Gomi.

May 8, 2007: Diaz Receives Black Belt

On May 8, 2007, Nick Diaz was promoted to black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu by Cesar Gracie.

September 15, 2007: EliteXC Debut

On September 15, 2007, Nick Diaz made his debut for EliteXC in Hawaii on Showtime, winning a split decision over Mike Aina.

2007: Rematch against K. J. Noons

In 2007 Nick Diaz had a rematch against K. J. Noons for the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship.

October 4, 2008: Noons Refuses Rematch

On October 4, 2008, Nick Diaz was rumored to have a rematch against the current EliteXC Lightweight Champion K. J. Noons, airing on CBS. However, Noons and his camp refused to accept the match.

November 8, 2008: EliteXC Ceases Operations

On November 8, 2008, Nick Diaz was scheduled to face Eddie Alvarez for the EliteXC 160 pound title before the company ceased operations.

April 11, 2009: Defeats Frank Shamrock

On April 11, 2009, Nick Diaz defeated Frank Shamrock via TKO due to strikes in the second round at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz, in Shamrock's hometown of San Jose at the HP Pavilion.

January 30, 2010: Strikeforce Welterweight Champion

On January 30, 2010, Nick Diaz faced Marius Žaromskis to crown the first Strikeforce Welterweight Champion at Strikeforce: Miami. Diaz won the fight by TKO in the first round, becoming the inaugural Strikeforce Welterweight Champion.

April 17, 2010: Brawl at Strikeforce: Nashville

On April 17, 2010, after Jake Shields's victory over Dan Henderson at Strikeforce: Nashville, a brawl ensued when Jason "Mayhem" Miller interrupted Shields's post-fight interview. Nick Diaz, his brother Nate, and the Cesar Gracie fight team attacked Miller, leading to suspensions and fines for those involved.

January 29, 2011: Defeats Evangelista Santos

On January 29, 2011, Nick Diaz defeated Brazilian Evangelista Santos at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg via armbar in the second round.

September 21, 2011: Ultimate Fighter Coaches

On September 21, 2011, The Ultimate Fighter 14 reality show debuted with Michael Bisping and Jason Miller as coaches, despite rumors that Nick Diaz and Georges St-Pierre would be the coaches.

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October 29, 2011: Pulled From St-Pierre Fight

On October 29, 2011, Nick Diaz was originally scheduled to face Georges St-Pierre at UFC 137, but was replaced by Carlos Condit due to missing multiple flights for a press event.

February 4, 2012: Diaz Suspended

On February 4, 2012, Nick Diaz's one-year suspension began, retroactive to this date, following the hearing in May 2012.

May 12, 2012: Diaz no-shows grappling match

On May 12, 2012, Nick Diaz was scheduled to face Braulio Estima in a grappling match at the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo, but he no-showed the event. Following the event, Diaz liked a YouTube video featuring Estima's reaction and alleged that Estima failed to make weight and that the promoters failed to donate proceeds to charity.

May 2012: Diaz Suspension Announced

In May 2012, it was announced at the hearing that Nick Diaz was suspended for one year, retroactive to February 4, 2012, and fined 30 percent of his fight purse earned from the Condit bout.

February 2013: Eligibility to Return to MMA

In February 2013, Nick Diaz was eligible to return to MMA competition after serving his one-year suspension.

March 16, 2013: UFC Welterweight Championship Loss

On March 16, 2013, Nick Diaz faced Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158 for the UFC Welterweight Championship and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

June 22, 2013: Diaz launches WAR MMA

On June 22, 2013, Nick Diaz launched the MMA promotion WAR MMA. The first event took place on the same day in Stockton, California, headlined by Daniel Roberts against Justin Baesman.

July 28, 2013: Diaz Announces Retirement

As of July 28, 2013, Nick Diaz had once again retired from MMA competition.

2013: Diaz appears in Fight Life documentary

In 2013, Nick Diaz appeared in the feature-length documentary Fight Life, which chronicles the lives of mixed martial artists outside the cage. The film won the Best Documentary Award at the United Film Festival.

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July 24, 2014: Diaz Signs Three-Fight Contract

On July 24, 2014, it was announced that Nick Diaz had signed a three-fight contract to return to the UFC.

January 31, 2015: Loss to Anderson Silva and Failed Drug Test

On January 31, 2015, Nick Diaz faced Anderson Silva at UFC 183 and lost the fight by unanimous decision. He later failed his post-fight drug test for marijuana metabolites.

September 14, 2015: NSAC suspends Diaz for failed drug test

On September 14, 2015, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) suspended Nick Diaz for 5 years and fined him $165,000 due to a failed drug test for marijuana metabolites at UFC 183.

January 2016: Diaz's suspension reduced after appeal

In January 2016, following his appeal, the initial 5-year suspension and $165,000 fine were reduced to 18 months and $100,000 for Nick Diaz.

August 1, 2016: Diaz's suspension lifted

On August 1, 2016, Nick Diaz's suspension was officially lifted after serving a technical suspension due to outstanding fines with the NSAC, preventing him from cornering Nate Diaz at UFC 196 and UFC 202.

April 9, 2017: Retroactive USADA sanction for Diaz

The USADA sanction that Diaz accepted in 2018 was made retroactive to April 9, 2017, due to his failure to report his whereabouts on three occasions.

April 9, 2018: Diaz accepts USADA sanction

On April 9, 2018, Nick Diaz accepted a one-year USADA sanction for failing to report his whereabouts on three occasions, making him eligible to compete again on the same date in 2018.

May 24, 2018: Diaz arrested on domestic battery charges

On May 24, 2018, Nick Diaz was arrested and charged with two counts of domestic battery: a felony for strangulation and a misdemeanor battery charge.

July 2018: Charges dismissed against Diaz

In July 2018, the charges against Nick Diaz were dismissed when a grand jury opted not to indict him after inconsistencies were found with the complainant's story.

August 30, 2018: Charges against Diaz dismissed

On August 30, 2018, it was revealed that the charges against Nick Diaz were dismissed in July 2018 when a grand jury opted not to indict Diaz after there were inconsistencies found with the complainant's story.

September 25, 2021: Diaz returns to fight Robbie Lawler at UFC 266

On September 25, 2021, after a long hiatus since 2015, Nick Diaz returned to rematch against Robbie Lawler at UFC 266. Diaz lost the bout by TKO after verbally submitting in the third round.

December 14, 2023: Diaz vs. St-Pierre grappling match postponed

On December 14, 2023, Nick Diaz was scheduled to compete against Georges St-Pierre in a grappling match at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational event, but the match was postponed due to injury.

2023: Diaz stars in Darkness of Man

In 2023, Nick Diaz starred in the film Darkness of Man with Jean-Claude Van Damme, directed by James Cullen Bressack.

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August 3, 2024: Diaz vs Luque bout postponed

On August 3, 2024, Nick Diaz was scheduled to face Vicente Luque at UFC on ABC 7. However, due to travel issues, the bout was postponed.

December 7, 2024: Diaz withdraws from UFC 310 bout

On December 7, 2024, Nick Diaz was scheduled to face Vicente Luque at UFC 310 after the bout was postponed. However, Diaz withdrew from the bout for unknown reasons and was replaced by Themba Gorimbo.