Yahoo Sports Nate Diaz Returns to Face Michael Johnson at UFC on Fox 17 in December
After a year away from fighting, former lightweight title contender Nate Diaz will return to action at UFC on Fox 17 against fifth-ranked Michael Johnson. UFC officials made the announcement on Monday evening.
Diaz (17-10) has faced the best of the best in the 155-pound division. He holds wins over Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Jim Miller, Gray Maynard, and Takanori Gomi. But the younger of the Diaz brothers has had a rocky three-year patch. He’s only competed four times during that span and lost three of those bouts.
The Stockton native hopes to reinsert himself in the lightweight division’s title picture by taking out Johnson on Dec. 19.
Johnson (16-9) is coming off of a controversial split-decision loss to Beneil Dariush at UFC Fight Night 73 on Aug. 8. Looking to rebound from the poor decision that snapped a four-fight winning streak, Johnson plans to ruin Diaz’ octagon return.
RELATED > VIDEO: Diaz Brothers and Nurmagomedov Camp Brawl in Crowd at WSOF Event
UFC on Fox 17: dos Anjos vs. Cerrone 2 is headlined by a lightweight world title bout between champion Rafael dos Anjos and second-ranked Donald Cerrone. Cerrone hopes to avenge his 2013 decision loss to dos Anjos in the rematch at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla.
