Nick Diaz is ready to return to action, according to UFC President Dana White.
Appearing on FOX Sports' "The Buzzer", White said that Diaz "wants to fight. Nick's ready to go again. I've got to figure that out."
Diaz has not fought since Jan. 31, 2015, when he faced Anderson Silva at UFC 183 in what ultimately was ruled a no contest after both fighters failed their drug tests. Silva won the fight by unanimous decision but was flagged for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Diaz was suspended 18 months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) after he was flagged for marijuana metabolites. Diaz originally was suspended for five years, but he appealed the ruling in January of this year. The suspension was reduced to 18 months, and ended as of Aug. 1. However, Diaz still owes $100,000 in fines to the NSAC, which will have to be repaid before he is reinstated.
That suspension left Diaz unable to corner his brother, Nate Diaz, at UFC 196 and UFC 202 for his pair of fights against Conor McGregor.
Diaz is 0-2 with the no contest in his three most recent bouts. Prior to that, he had won 11 consecutive fights, only two of which went the distance.
Diaz may not have to wait long for a matchup once he officially is cleared. Even before Diaz's suspension ended, he was on the minds of at least one prominent fighter in the UFC as a potential opponent. After winning the welterweight title this summer, Tyron Woodley asked for a fight against Diaz once he became reinstated.
Diaz's brother, Nate, handed McGregor his first loss in the UFC earlier this year. McGregor won the rematch at UFC 202.
