At UFC Abu Dhabi, Tony Ferguson switches to welterweight and Nick Diaz makes a COMEBACK.

 At UFC Abu Dhabi, Nick Diaz makes a comeback and Tony Ferguson switches to welterweight.

The August 3 UFC Abu Dhabi event has gained a significant boost with the inclusion of two experienced athletes on the schedule.

After almost three years away, former welterweight championship challenger Nick Diaz is about to make his much anticipated comeback to the octagon. He is scheduled to compete in a five-round co-main event against Vicente Luque.


In another highly anticipated bout, Tony Ferguson will face Michael Chiesa in the welterweight class.

With the confirmation of these new bouts by UFC CEO Dana White, the excitement around the already planned main event between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov was heightened. The winner of Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov will decide who is the top challenger to challenge for the bantamweight belt, according to White.

Given his poor performance in his most recent fight against Robbie Lawler in 2021, some people may be surprised by Diaz's decision to return to action. Still, the 40-year-old veteran is committed to his work, often working out and coaching with his brother Nate Diaz as well as former colleagues Jake Shields and Gilbert Melendez.

Though he took a long break, Diaz claims to have defeated B.J. Penn in 2011. He has, however, suffered defeats at the hands of elite opponents like as Lawler, Georges St-Pierre, Carlos Condit, and Anderson Silva, the latter of whom had his fight declared a no contest after failing a drug test.

Luque, however, is looking to get back after suffering his third defeat in as many fights when he was knocked out by Joaquin Buckley in March. Luque had won four straight, including big victory over Randy Brown and former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, before going through a difficult period.

As Ferguson enters the octagon, there are rumors that his career may be coming to an end. After seven straight losses, the former interim lightweight champion moves up to the welterweight class.


Ferguson's opponent, Chiesa, is looking for atonement following his third straight loss in July 2023, when he was submitted by Kevin Holland.