Nick Diaz Won’t Enjoy Fighting Anderson Silva

Loved and hated by MMA fans the world over, Nick Diaz sent shockwaves through the MMA world by finally returning to the Octagon this week when his awaited “super fight” with former middleweight champion Anderson Silva was announced this Tuesday (July 29, 2014).

Out of action since his hyped but lackluster decision loss to former welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, Diaz has been in a self-imposed “retirement” ever since. However, the Stockton bad boy spoke up during a UFC 183 media conference call yesterday, noting that you don’t ever really retire from fighting:

“I never meant to say I was retired from martial arts, you never really do. I just retired from climbing the ropes, I’m not doing anyone any favors, not even myself a favor, by taking fights I’m not happy with. As far as my retirement gameplan, I just needed some time off.”

Time off he’s had, and now he’s set up for what may arguably be the biggest fight of his career after not piking up a win since defeating a fading BJ Penn at UFC 137 in October 2011.

Shifting his focus to Silva, who’s also had an extended stay out of the cage since breaking his leg versus Chris Weidman at UFC 168 last December, Diaz said he’s not actually looking forward to facing the all-time great. Despite Silva’s injuries and unknown motivation, the elder Diaz brother isn’t quite sure what to expect:

“”Definitely not, would you enjoy fighting Anderson Silva? Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.”

So Diaz has cited Forrest Gump, and with it, so begins the next great trash talk battle of his storied career.

The only thing wrong with that picture is that Diaz has talked himself into a lot more fame than he’s fought into.

Before all of his supporters come knocking at my door with pitchforks and torches, I just want to stress he earned this fight because he’s one of the best self promoters in the business, and he’s also one of the best boxers. But we’ll probably never see a man who hasn’t won a fight in nearly three years get an instant bout with someone many consider the consensus GOAT.

It just won’t happen again.

Does he actually have a chance at spoiling Silva’s return, or is he simply in it to collect what will certainly be a massive payday?