This past weekend, Nick Diaz returned to fighting after a 6 1/2-year layoff when he faced Robbie Lawler in a five-round non-title fight at UFC 266. Given his long layoff – and some of the things that happened leading up to the fight, including a last-minute change of weight class – many were unsure what Diaz might look like in his return, and ultimately, things did not goes his way as Diaz was was rendered unable to continue, following a brutal combination from Lawler in the third round. But even though Diaz came up short in his return, many of his fellow fighters were filled with praise for the former Strikeforce welterweight champion, including the rival of his younger brother.
Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz have the preeminent rivalry in MMA, dating back to their pair of fights in 2016 that broke pay-per-view records for the UFC made Nate Diaz a global superstar. But on Saturday, McGregor was simply another fan watching the return of a pioneer of the sport, and following the bout, the former “champ-champ” offered glowing praise of Nick Diaz, with a little shade thrown towards Nate for good measure.
Nick/Rob was a good fight. The spin kick at the start gave the ground on Nick but he was veteran composed and was peppering lovely shots in. He just ate some big body shots and there was more coming Robbie was strong to the body it was veteran work all round. I enjoyed thoroughly
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 26, 2021
The finishing sequence when the temple was clipped after the leg went, the evasion of the final shot, which was a blistering uppercut, was magic. Look at it. Down on one knee, observing where the shot was coming from, slip/parry, and re cente to open guard safe. Ala Daly fight.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 26, 2021
Nate your boxing is piss compare to nicks. We been fed garbage with your sloppy shots the last few years. Can see the clear difference between the two brothers after last night. Balance, composure. Another level the big bro is on to you. I made you.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 26, 2021
“Nick/Rob was a good fight. The spin kick at the start gave the ground on Nick but he was veteran composed and was peppering lovely shots in. He just ate some big body shots and there was more coming Robbie was strong to the body it was veteran work all round. I enjoyed thoroughly. The finishing sequence when the temple was clipped after the leg went, the evasion of the final shot, which was a blistering uppercut, was magic. Look at it. Down on one knee, observing where the shot was coming from, slip/parry, and re center to open guard safe. A la (Paul) Daley fight. Nate your boxing is piss compared to Nick’s. We been fed garbage with your sloppy shots the last few years. Can see the clear difference between the two brothers after last night. Balance, composure. Another level the big bro is on to you. I made you.”
Conor and Nate have the preeminent rivalry in MMA, dating back to their pair of fights in 2016 that broke pay-per-view records for the UFC and launched the younger Diaz brother into global superstardom. Since then, the two have continued to take shots at each other via social media and Nate was quick to respond to McGregor’s latest salvo.
McGregor and Diaz have been going back and forth about McGregor’s most recent performance – breaking his leg in the first round against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 – for some time now. McGregor is still rehabbing the injury but is expected to make his return sometime next year and when he does, the prospect of a trilogy bout between the two seems inevitable.
Results. Alexander Volkanovski and Valentina Shevchenko retains their titles at UFC 266.
Close. Alexander Volkanovski: Brian Ortega’s choke was ‘f*ck, I’m about to lose the belt deep’.
But no cigar. Alexander Volkanovski reacts to Brian Ortega receiving extra time, help to stool after chaotic third round at UFC 266.
Return. Nick Diaz makes ‘no excuses’ for loss to Robbie Lawler: ‘I’m glad to be back, I’m glad to put on a show’.
Arguing the facts. Dana White rips ‘crack head’ Oscar De La Hoya after he criticizes fighter pay following UFC 266 main event
Big mad. Marvin Vettori rips Paul Felder’s UFC 266 commentary, Felder fires back.
Beef. Petr Yan: ‘Sneaky coward’ Aljamain Sterling ran away from UFC 267 rematch.
UFC 266 Post Show.
UFC 266 Post-Fight Press Conference.
UFC 268 trailer.
Top welterweight KOs in Bellator history.
Doctor explains the beating Brian Ortega took at UFC 266.
On To The Next One. Matches to make following UFC 266.
Severe MMA. Discussing Volkanovski, Shevchenko, and Jon Jones’ latest legal troubles.
Of course.
The real Alexander the Great took over the World at 20…you almost got choked out by a Modelo model. I’m coming for you Fun Sized Matt Serra! + https://t.co/UKdKeuLrTP
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) September 26, 2021
Statement.
Respect.
@LaurenMurphyMMA You are amazing fighter , very strong and skilled !
A lot of respect on your toughness!
Sending my best wishes for you and your team !— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) September 26, 2021
Statement.
Beef.
Stop lying I will never say anything bad about someone’s family. And yes you are blocked until you will grow the balls to fight me, for now I’m done wasting my time on you coward
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) September 27, 2021
Ready to step in.
Upset.
Do you really think I would fake a surgery? Coming out of another terrible injury. Unlike you I have a family that depends on me and I don’t have another man paying my bills. https://t.co/PDvQ2rhZsq
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) September 26, 2021
Hungry.
And so it begins.
Israel Adesanya is moving to the United States of America.
Grant Dawson (17-1) vs. Ricky Glenn (22-6-1); UFC Fight Night, Oct. 23.
Brian Ortega is absurdly tough and Alexander Volkanovski is absurdly good. That is all.
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
Poll
Does Nick Diaz fight again?
-
60%
Yes
(52 votes)
-
39%
No
(34 votes)
86 votes total
Vote Now
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
This article first appeared at MMA Fighting – All Posts
Help support MMACrazies.com when you shop Amazon by starting your online Amazon shopping at MMACrazies.com/recommends/amazon. You are not charged extra, but we receive a small and very helpful commission on everything you purchase. Thanks for thinking of us every time you shop at Amazon.

