Mixed martial arts enthusiasts had a variety of reactions in the aftermath of Nick Diaz and Tony Ferguson having their UFC returns announced.
Both Diaz and Ferguson will be looking to return to winning ways at the upcoming UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi on August 3, but in different matchups.
The former, who is without a win in 13 years and has competed just twice since a title loss to Georges St-Pierre in 2013, will make his first appearance inside the Octagon since an unsuccessful comeback against Robbie Lawler in 2021.
While that saw him square off with a fellow veteran, and do so in unimpressive fashion, Diaz’s latest comeback is set to see him throw down with ranked competition in Vicente Luque, who is less than a year removed from a five-round win over Rafael dos Anjos.
“El Cucuy,” meanwhile, has been much more active in recent years, but equally as unsuccessful.
Since the start of 2020, the former interim champion has lost seven straight fights, the most recent of which came opposite rising prospect Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296 last December. He’ll look to bounce back in the Middle East by adding to the woes of Michael Chiesa.
MMA Fans Concerned As Diaz & Ferguson Gear Up For UFC Returns
While fight announcements for Diaz and Ferguson would have formally been met with intrigue and excitement, that is seemingly no longer the case.
Instead, plenty of fans expressed concern over the two 40-year-olds returning to the cage, especially given their opponents. A number of fans questioned why the promotion didn’t simply match them together.
Tony Tony! Why Tony?
— Milano (@jumamillar) May 29, 2024
Brought out the retirement home for this card
— YouGot2BeKitten (@TalkingMusicCat) May 29, 2024
I'm still waiting for the correction that it's actually Nick vs. Tony and Luque-Chiesa 2. Any minute now
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 29, 2024
The matchups make no fucking sense at all. Have Luque fight Chiesa and you fight Nick Diaz. That makes a trillion times more sense than this shit. As fans we love and support you but fuck bro…. This is getting out of hand.
— Colton Russell (@coltonrussell92) May 30, 2024
May have discussed but I love Nick Diaz. Very good story. Very very happy I get to see him fight live
— jimmy butler (@jimmybutler124) May 30, 2024
Fuck no 😂😂😂😂 Tony Ferguson and Nick Diaz having to be in the card is an absolute disgrace
— Elusive 🌫️ (@cwdap_) May 30, 2024
1 of my subscribers just told me they were 4 years old in 2011 the last time Nick Diaz got a win. That is beyond fucking crazy.
Diaz is the ultimate dead body who quit in his last fight & is literally just showing up for a paycheck. Beyond sad
— MMA Joey (@MMAJOEYC) May 30, 2024
1.) I can’t wait for this Cory Sandhagen fight.
2.) Hilarious how he just sprinkles that Nick Diaz fight in there like it’s nothing special.
3.) Figueiredo is going to absolutely bitch Marlon Vera.
4.) Tony😔 https://t.co/vBk0tc4ppa
— LeftHookLarry (@LeftHookLarry05) May 30, 2024
No Tony has a fight he can actually win and Nick Diaz been talking about coming back and being a real contender so i think the match up is interesting https://t.co/OtCYRQSYHj
— Henny White (@MannyP3166) May 30, 2024
The Vicente/Nick Diaz & Ferguson/Chiasa fights don't make much sense to me.
A much better alternative would be to swap the matchups. Ferg/Diaz and Chiasa/Vicente.
— 👑 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘶 (@markuhz) May 30, 2024
Tony don't lose mate, try even a draw.
— Milano (@jumamillar) May 29, 2024
These announcements would have been killer a years ago, now not so much
— Josh (@JUchiha909) May 29, 2024
