Nick Diaz is an American professional mixed martial artist known for his time in the UFC. He has held welterweight championships in multiple promotions, including Strikeforce, WEC, and IFC, and has also fought for PRIDE, EliteXC, DREAM, and Shooto. Diaz, who previously challenged for a UFC title, is the older brother of fellow former UFC fighter Nate Diaz. The Diaz brothers are considered highly influential figures in MMA.
August 2, 1983: Nick Diaz is born
On August 2, 1983, Nickolas Robert Diaz was born. He would go on to become a professional boxer and mixed martial artist.
2001: Diaz Makes Professional Debut
Just after his 18th birthday in 2001, Diaz won his first professional fight, submitting Mike Wick with a triangle choke at IFC Warriors Challenge 15.
July 2002: Diaz Becomes IFC Welterweight Champion
In July 2002, Diaz defeated Chris Lytle for the IFC Welterweight Championship at IFC Warriors Challenge 17.
2003: Diaz Wins WEC Welterweight Championship
Diaz won the WEC Welterweight Championship in 2003 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, showcasing his skills in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
April 2005: Diaz Makes Professional Boxing Debut
Nick Diaz made his professional boxing debut in April 2005 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
Nick Diaz achieved victory in the Pan-American Brown Belt Medium Weight Division in 2005, further solidifying his Brazilian jiu-jitsu prowess.
January 2007: Diaz Scheduled to Fight Thomas Denny
Diaz was scheduled to fight Thomas Denny in January 2007 at a Gracie Fighting Championships event, 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 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." Diaz was suspended for six months and fined 20% of his earnings.
May 8, 2007: Diaz Receives Black Belt
On May 8, 2007, Diaz was promoted to black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu by Cesar Gracie.
September 15, 2007: Diaz Makes EliteXC Debut
Diaz made his debut for EliteXC in Hawaii on September 15, 2007, winning a hard-fought split decision over Mike Aina.
2007: Diaz vs. Noons II
In 2007, Nick Diaz won a rematch against K.J. Noons for the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship via unanimous decision.
October 4, 2008: Diaz vs. Noons Rematch Rejected
Diaz was rumored to have a rematch against K.J. Noons on October 4, 2008. However, Noons and his camp refused the match.
November 8, 2008: Diaz vs. Alvarez Fight Cancelled
Diaz was scheduled to face Eddie Alvarez for the EliteXC 160 pound title on November 8, 2008 before the company ceased operations.
April 11, 2009: Diaz Defeats Shamrock
Diaz defeated MMA legend Frank Shamrock via TKO at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz on April 11, 2009.
January 30, 2010: Strikeforce: Miami
On January 30, 2010, Nick Diaz faced Marius Žaromskis at Strikeforce: Miami to crown the first Strikeforce Welterweight Champion. Diaz won the fight by TKO in the first round.
April 17, 2010: Strikeforce Nashville Brawl
On April 17, 2010, at Strikeforce: Nashville, a post-fight interview with Jake Shields following his victory over Dan Henderson was interrupted by Jason "Mayhem" Miller, leading to a brawl involving Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz, and other members of the Cesar Gracie fight team. The incident resulted in suspensions and fines for Miller and five other individuals.
January 29, 2011: Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg
On January 29, 2011, Nick Diaz defeated Evangelista Santos via armbar in the second round at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg.
September 21, 2011: The Ultimate Fighter 14 Premiere
The Ultimate Fighter 14 premiered on September 21, 2011, with Michael Bisping and Jason Miller as coaches, not Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz as previously rumored.
October 29, 2011: UFC 137
Nick Diaz was scheduled to fight Georges St-Pierre at UFC 137 on October 29, 2011, but was removed for missing press events. Diaz instead fought B.J. Penn at UFC 137 and won by unanimous decision.
February 4, 2012: Suspension Start Date
Nick Diaz's one-year suspension from MMA competition began on February 4, 2012.
May 12, 2012: Diaz No-Shows Grappling Match with Estima
Nick Diaz was scheduled to participate in a grappling match against Braulio Estima at the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo on May 12, 2012. However, Diaz did not show up for the event. He later claimed that Estima had missed weight and that the promoters had not fulfilled their promise to donate proceeds to charity.
May 2012: Suspension Hearing
In May 2012, a hearing was held regarding Nick Diaz's suspension for a failed drug test. He was suspended for one year and fined 30% of his fight purse from the Condit bout.
February 2013: Return to MMA Eligibility
On February 2013, Nick Diaz became eligible to return to MMA competition after serving a one-year suspension.
March 16, 2013: UFC 158: St-Pierre vs. Diaz
Nick Diaz lost to Georges St-Pierre by unanimous decision in a fight for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 158 on March 16, 2013.
June 22, 2013: Diaz Launches WAR MMA
On June 22, 2013, Nick Diaz launched his own MMA promotion company, WAR MMA, with the first event taking place the same day in Stockton, California. The main event was a fight between Diaz's teammate, Daniel Roberts, and Justin Baesman.
July 28, 2013: Retirement (Hiatus) from MMA
On July 28, 2013, Nick Diaz retired from MMA competition, although Dana White believed it was a hiatus.
2013: Fight Life Documentary
In 2013, Nick Diaz appeared in the documentary "Fight Life," directed by James Z. Feng. The film won the Best Documentary Award at the United Film Festival.
July 24, 2014: Return to the UFC
On July 24, 2014, Nick Diaz signed a three-fight contract to return to the UFC.
September 6, 2014: Diaz Arrested for DUI
On September 6, 2014, Nick Diaz was arrested in Lodi, California, on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), obstructing a police officer, destruction of evidence, and driving with a suspended license.
January 31, 2015: UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz
Nick Diaz faced Anderson Silva at UFC 183 on January 31, 2015. He initially lost the fight by unanimous decision, but the result was later changed to a no contest due to both fighters failing drug tests.
September 14, 2015: Five-Year Suspension and Fine
On September 14, 2015, the Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended Nick Diaz for five years and fined him $165,000 for failing a drug test for marijuana metabolites at UFC 183.
2015: End of Hiatus
Nick Diaz's hiatus from MMA, which began in 2015, ended with his return fight against Robbie Lawler at UFC 266.
January 2016: Reduced Suspension and Fine
In January 2016, Nick Diaz's five-year suspension and $165,000 fine were reduced to 18 months and $100,000 after an appeal.
August 1, 2016: Suspension Lifted
Nick Diaz's suspension from MMA was officially lifted on August 1, 2016.
April 9, 2017: Retroactive Sanction Start
Nick Diaz's one-year USADA sanction was applied retroactively, starting on April 9, 2017.
April 9, 2018: One-Year USADA Sanction
On April 9, 2018, Nick Diaz accepted a one-year USADA sanction for failing to report his whereabouts.
May 25, 2018: Diaz Arrested on Domestic Battery Charges
Nick Diaz was arrested on May 24, 2018, and charged with two counts of domestic battery: one felony count for strangulation and one misdemeanor count for battery.
July 2018: Grand Jury Declines to Indict Diaz
In July 2018, a grand jury chose not to indict Nick Diaz on domestic battery charges related to his May 2018 arrest, effectively dismissing the charges. The decision was made due to inconsistencies found in the complainant's story.
August 30, 2018: Charges Against Diaz Dismissed
On August 30, 2018, it was revealed that the domestic battery charges against Nick Diaz, stemming from his May 2018 arrest, had been dismissed in July 2018. A grand jury decided not to indict Diaz after inconsistencies were discovered in the complainant's account.
September 25, 2021: UFC 266: Diaz vs. Lawler 2
On September 25, 2021, Nick Diaz returned to the UFC after a long hiatus to face Robbie Lawler at UFC 266. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.
December 14, 2023: UFC Fight Pass Invitational
Nick Diaz was scheduled to compete against Georges St-Pierre in a grappling match at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational event on December 14, 2023. The match was postponed due to an injury.
2023: Darkness of Man Film Release
In 2023, Nick Diaz starred in the film "Darkness of Man," directed by James Cullen Bressack and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.
August 3, 2024: UFC on ABC 7: Diaz vs. Luque
Nick Diaz is scheduled to fight Vicente Luque on August 3, 2024, at UFC on ABC 7 after a three-year absence from the Octagon.