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**SM33** · 04-04-2012, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Apr 3, 2012 - While Nick Diaz's MMA future may still be in doubt, the former Strikeforce welterweight champion has decided to return to his Brazilian jiu-jitsu roots.

The World Jiu-Jitsu Expo and Cesar Gracie, Diaz's trainer and manager, have confirmed that Diaz will compete in a BJJ super-fight at the WJJE on May 12 in Long Beach, Calif.

According to Gracie, Diaz wanted to enter one of the WJJE's tournaments, however, Expo officials chose to have him only compete in a super-fight. No opponent has been signed just yet.

Diaz, a black belt under Gracie, hasn't competed in a BJJ match in two years. Gracie said the UFC, "usually doesn't want (Nick) competing (in BJJ) if it's near a fight, (but) he has no fight lined up."

Gracie added that he expects to find out this week when Diaz's hearing with the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his positive drug test following his UFC 143 loss to Carlos Condit will take place. He teased last week via Twitter that Diaz's MMA days aren't over, despite retiring following the loss to Condit.

The first-ever World Jiu-Jitsu Expo will take place at the Long Beach Convention Center. In addition to the Diaz super-fight, fans attending the Expo can take part in free seminars with BJJ stars Renzo Gracie, Braulio Estima, Roger Gracie, Robert Drysdale, Rodrigo Comprido and Andre Galvao.

For more on the Expo, including how to purchase tickets, visit the WJJE official Web site.

I'm confident Diaz will grace the Octagon again, and I think the UFC could loosen up on competing elsewhere.

The biggest problem with a tournament like this is of course injury putting fighters our for a while. It can't really hurt a fighter's stance in the UFC, and won't earn them more money than the UFC can, so do you think they should allow this more often?

Close to a fight is understandable but guys are often waiting around, do you think they should be allowed to compete elsewhere for the sake of staying active?

**TheLyotoLegion** · 04-04-2012, 02:21 PM

The UFC's always allowed fighters to do stuff like this, Palhares and Okami have both done Abu Dhabi.

rul3z · 04-04-2012, 03:41 PM

One of the obstacles that Fedor didn't sign with the UFC was the SAMBO championships. Why wasn't a contract done with him and given him the green light to fight outside the octagon?

It's a shame that Dana White is doing excuses to his boy just to make him get back to fighting in the octagon again!

ASKREN4WIN · 04-04-2012, 03:44 PM

And when he loses he will say bleepedy bleep bleep, smoke some weed and anounce his retirement from BJJ competition.

**TheLyotoLegion** · 04-04-2012, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rul3z

One of the obstacles that Fedor didn't sign with the UFC was the SAMBO championships. Why wasn't a contract done with him and given him the green light to fight outside the octagon?

It's a shame that Dana White is doing excuses to his boy just to make him get back to fighting in the octagon again!

They were gonna let Fedor do Sambo.

**khoveraki** · 04-04-2012, 04:38 PM

Diaz isnt high level enough for it to be a "superfight" and lol @ no opponent named yet.

And of course Diaz isnt retiring from MMA, why would he spend so much on a lawyer to get a suspension lifted if he didnt want to fight again.

Buakaw_GSP · 04-04-2012, 06:08 PM

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Originally Posted by TheLyotoLegion

They were gonna let Fedor do Sambo.

True. The UFC doesent have a problem with guys doing BJJ/Sambo/Judo and the like. Fighting for a Kickboxing, Boxing, or another MMA organization/promotion is where it becomes tricky.