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Nick Diaz Comes Back, Tony Ferguson Steps Up To Welterweight at UFC Abu Dhabi

Photo: Instagram/Nick Diaz

UFC Abu Dhabi’s card on August 3 just got even more exciting with the addition of two legendary fighters.

Nick Diaz, a former welterweight title challenger, will make his UFC return for the first time in nearly three years. He is set to face Vicente Luque in a five-round co-main event. Meanwhile, Tony Ferguson will move up to welterweight to fight Michael Chiesa.

These new matchups were announced by UFC CEO Dana White on Wednesday. The main event for the card has already been confirmed as Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov. White revealed that this fight will be a No. 1 contender bout, with the winner earning a shot at the bantamweight title.

Photo: Instagram/Nick Diaz

Diaz's return to the octagon is surprising, especially since his last fight against Robbie Lawler in 2021 did not show him in top form. Despite this, the 40-year-old legend has continued training and working with his brother Nate Diaz and other longtime teammates like Gilbert Melendez and Jake Shields. Diaz’s last win was back in 2011 against B.J. Penn, and since then, he has lost to Lawler, Georges St-Pierre, Carlos Condit, and Anderson Silva (though the Silva fight was later ruled a no-contest).

Vicente Luque, on the other hand, is looking to bounce back after a knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley in March. Luque has a record of 1-3 in his last four fights, but he was once close to title contention with a four-fight winning streak that included victories over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley and Randy Brown.

Ferguson’s move to welterweight comes after a tough run of seven straight losses. This fight against Chiesa could be his last, according to White. Ferguson, a former interim lightweight champion, is hoping to turn things around in his new weight class.

Fans are eagerly anticipating these matchups, making UFC Abu Dhabi a must-watch event.

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Source: MMA Fighting 
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