Nick Diaz returns in five-round co-headliner with Robbie Lawler at UFC 266
The rematch between Nick Diaz and Robbie Lawler is set.
UFC president Dana White told Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports that Diaz will rematch former UFC champion Lawler in a five-round co-main event at UFC 266 on Sept. 25. It is the second non-main event to be scheduled for five rounds after Diaz’s younger brother, Nate Diaz fought Leon Edwards for 25 minutes at UFC 263 this past June.
UFC featherweight Alexander Volkanovski headlines the event against Brian Ortega inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card is available on pay-per-view after the prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.
The UFC is yet to make an official announcement regarding Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler.
The pair last fought 17 years ago at UFC 47 in 2004, where Diaz finished Lawler via second-round TKO.
The rematch will mark Diaz’s first bout since January 2015, a no contest against former champion Anderson Silva at UFC 183. Silva tested positive for drostanolone and androsterone, while Diaz was flagged for marijuana.
Diaz is winless in his last three performances, dropping losses to then-champion George St-Pierre and Carlos Condit. The California native is the former Strikeforce welterweight champion, all part of an 11-fight win streak from 2008 to 2011.
Lawler is coming off four-consecutive defeats. He most recently suffered a unanimous decision loss to Neil Magny at UFC Fight Night 175 last August. His last victory is a unanimous decision win over Donald Cerrone at UFC 214 in July 2017.
Lawler claimed UFC gold by dethroning Johnny Hendricks via unanimous decision at UFC 181 in December 2014. He defended his strap against Rory MacDonald and Carlos Condit before falling by first-round knockout to Tyron Woodley at UFC 201 in July 2016.
