Fan favorite Nick Diaz’s highly anticipated return to the Octagon has been delayed.
Diaz was initially scheduled to face Vicente Luque at UFC 310 on Dec. 7, marking his first fight in over three years. However, the matchup has been scrapped as Diaz has officially withdrawn.
Stepping in for the Stockton native, per MMA Mania's Alex Behunin, Themba Gorimbo will now take on Luque at the event. While the UFC has not yet confirmed the new bout, an announcement is expected soon.
Diaz last competed in September 2021 at UFC 266, where he suffered a TKO loss to Robbie Lawler. Before that, he endured a challenging stretch in his career, going 0-2-1. His losses include decision defeats to Carlos Condit at UFC 143 in 2012 and Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158 in 2013. Additionally, his 2015 bout with Anderson Silva at UFC 183 was overturned to a no contest after Silva failed a drug test.
Gorimbo, who steps in for Diaz, boasts a professional record of 14-4 and is currently riding a four-fight winning streak. Since joining the UFC, Gorimbo has achieved a solid 4-1 record, with notable decision victories over fighters such as Ramiz Brahimaj and Niko Price.
This reshuffle comes amid other significant changes to the UFC 310 lineup. A toe infection forced UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad out of the main event, leading title challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov to pivot and now face Ian Garry.
The event will be headlined by a UFC flyweight championship bout between current titleholder Alexandre Pantoja and challenger Kai Asakura.