Vicente Luque has a far higher degree of optimism about getting a new date on the books with Nick Diaz than that of UFC CEO Dana White.
Luque (22-10-1 MMA, 15-6 UFC) was scheduled to fight Diaz (26-10 MMA, 7-7 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC on ABC 7 co-main event in Abu Dhabi unless less than two weeks out from the date UFC officials announced the matchup was off due to travel issues on Diaz’s side.
There has been little further information as to Diaz’s status for what would’ve been his first fight since a September 2021 loss to Robbie Lawler, and just his second appearance overall since January 2015. Luque talked to MMA Junkie during UFC 304 fight week in Manchester, England, and said he was disheartened by the postponement, but was confident it would be rescheduled.
“The buildup to it, I expected to have some kind of an issue with the weight or some kind of unexpected thing,” Luque told MMA Junkie. “But I didn’t think the fight was going to fall through. I was disappointed. I feel super ready, super excited to step in there and fight a legend like Nick. Hopefully we’re going to get it rescheduled for soon.
“We’re working on rescheduling the fight and I’m going to stay ready. If we can do it soon or maybe September, maybe August. … No word yet.”
It appears Luque could be waiting some time for that word to come through. When asked about Diaz’s situation at Saturday’s UFC 304 post-fight news conference, White told MMA Junkie that he has legitimate doubts it happens in 2024.
“I have no idea,” White said. “Not very (confident he fights this year).”
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