‘I love this’ – Nick Diaz returns to training after health scare as best friend shares sparring footage with UFC legend

Jan 14, 2026 - 13:00

Nick Diaz is back on the mats after a turbulent period dealing with health issues.

Diaz, a living legend of the fight game, was the epicentre of widespread concern from the MMA world in 2025.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 04: Nick Diaz attends the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) — Diaz is back sparring after a scheduled return at UFC 310 in December 2024 was cancelled

The 42-year-old was scheduled to make his long-awaited UFC return in December 2024, but withdrew from the bout due to ‘undisclosed reasons.’

He was booked to fight Vicente Luque at UFC 310, and news of the fight being off came just days after footage emerged of Diaz looking worse for wear in public, which left fans uneasy.

After positive health updates in 2025 revealed Diaz was ‘on the right path’ in terms of recovery, and reports of the UFC legend being ‘drugged and kidnapped’ were denied, Diaz is now back training.

Nick Diaz back training after health scare

“A little play sparring with Nick Diaz this morning,” ex-UFC fighter and longtime friend of Diaz, Jake Shields, wrote via X on Tuesday.

“Nick was my top sparring partner for over 15 years, so it’s good to get back together and train.”

A video shows Shields and Diaz doing some light sparring at Xtreme Couture MMA in Las Vegas, where head coach Eric Nicksick has led the likes of Francis Ngannou to UFC gold.

Members of the MMA world couldn’t have been happier for the Stockton native in their reactions to the footage.

One wrote on X: “Nick’s a legend, glad to see him back!”

Another said: “I love this.”

A third added: “Great to see him back, last I heard he was stuck in Mexico. Just hope he’s doing well.”

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 09: (R-L) Nate Diaz and brother Nick arrive prior to the UFC 279 ceremonial weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) — Diaz is the older brother of fellow UFC legend Nate

He was stopped by Robbie Lawler at UFC 266 in September 2021 – the last time we’ve seen the Stockton scrapper in the Octagon

While a fourth responded: “I’m glad to see Nick healthy again. Hope he stays on this path.”

Diaz was stopped by fellow MMA veteran Robbie Lawler in his last UFC fight five years ago.

He fought the likes of Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre in his heyday, having joined Dana White‘s promotion in 2011 as a Strikeforce welterweight champion.

Diaz is also the older brother of Nate Diaz, who traded victories with Conor McGregor in 2016 and has said he wants to make a UFC return to fight for a belt one final time.

Nate, 40, submitted Tony Ferguson in his last outing at UFC 279 and has also named Paddy Pimblett as a potential opponent who interests him.