Five possible UFC opponents for the returning Nick Diaz

For the past year and a half, the MMA world has been without the enigmatic Nick Diaz due to a suspension for a failed drug test that found marijuana metabolites in his system after his loss to Anderson Silva last January. The punishment could have been a lot worse as a five-year suspension was originally levied on the middleweight. However, Diaz had his sentence reduced to 18 months and is now officially able to compete. He hasn’t won a fight in almost five years but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s a cult figure for MMA fans.

With his return inevitable, it will be interesting to see with whom the UFC pairs him up with for his first fight back in the Octagon. Here are five opponents we’d love to see Diaz face.

5. Tyron Woodley

The only reason Woodley appears on this list is because the freshly minted welterweight champion called out Diaz for a “money fight.” And that sentiment rings true to pit a fighter like Woodley, who is searching for mainstream relevance, against a fighter who has been known to draw a crowd would certainly be interesting. The only problem is that it is totally unfair to the rest of the welterweight division, specifically Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.

4. Rory MacDonald

Assuming that Rory MacDonald decides to re-sign with the UFC, the fighting promotion will likely need to put him in a situation where he can get the most exposure. A fight with Nick Diaz would certainly do that for him. It’s also intriguing considering their styles. MacDonald is a counter-striker by nature and Diaz has no qualms bringing the fight to him. It’s more of a money fight than a fight to put MacDonald back into the title picture, but we’re certain he’ll be fine with it. As for Diaz, a victory would launch him right back into the title hunt.

3. Georges St-Pierre

Georges St-Pierre has been vocal about wanting “big” fights rather than another run at the welterweight title so a fight against Woodley appears to be out of the question. If he does choose to return, he’ll want the most intriguing fight possible. And although he already defeated Diaz back in 2013, it’s certainly a fight that could happen. It also helps that Diaz has been adamant about getting another shot at GSP. With no title on the line, it makes sense for both fighters and wouldn’t disrupt anything in the division.

2. Robbie Lawler

Robbie Lawler likes to fight. The only person who probably likes to engage in a few rounds of fisticuffs fight more than Lawler is Nate Diaz. With Lawler getting taken out by a shocking first round knockout at the hands of Woodley, chances are he’s looking to get right back into the mix. Meanwhile, this is a fight the fans would absolutely love considering that both Lawler and Diaz like to keep things standing. Oh, did we forget to mention that this would be a rematch of their 2004 engagement where Diaz knocked Lawler out cold? Things have changed a lot since then.

1. Conor McGregor

There are so many reasons why this fight makes sense. There is one caveat, however. McGregor will have to defeat Nick’s little brother at UFC 202 in a few weeks. If that happens, a fight where McGregor faces Nick Diaz is ripe with storylines and could be a massive mainstream attraction. Obviously, that fight would infuriate interim UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, who is waiting for his shot at redemption. But this is just one that he’ll have to understand. The combination of epic trash talking, crowd-pleasing styles and a narrative that anybody can get attached to makes this a potential blockbuster of a fight. The world would certainly be watching.