5 hard-hitting predictions for Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler 2 at UFC 266

It's no secret that Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler 2 is the unofficial main event of UFC 266. The MMA icons will run it back 17 years after their initial clash.

The September 25 pay-per-view will feature a title fight double-header. Alexander Volkanovski and Valentina Shevchenko will defend their respective titles. On top of that, contenders Dan Hooker, Marlon Moraes, Jessica Andrade, Curtis Blaydes and Jairzinho Rozenstruik will all be in action.

It's undeniable that the return of the original Stockton bad-boy is what has fans abuzz. Statistics from the UFC YouTube channel reveal the countdown episode featuring Diaz and Lawler is the most clicked and watched ahead of this weekend's event.

Fans are excited about Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler 2

Ahead of the highly-anticipated rematch between Diaz and Lawler, let's take a look at some of the hardest-hitting predictions from the biggest personalities in MMA.

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#5. UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski

Alexander Volkanovski predicts Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler 2

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will compete in the actual main event of UFC 266. The Australian fighter said he has based his predictions upon in-cage activity. In that respect, Robbie Lawler has been the more active fighter between the two in recent years.

Lawler's last fight was a losing effort against Neil Magny last August at UFC Fight Night 175. 'Ruthless' hasn't looked like his old self in his last four fights, but Volkanovski believes Diaz is worse off as he has been away for over six years.

In a recent episode of the MMA Pros Pick show on journalist James Lynch's YouTube channel, Volkanovski said:

"The fact is that Lawler has at least been competitive, luckily he's been competing not too long ago. For Nick Diaz, it's been so long. I know he's always working on his cardio and all that type of stuff. So, I feel like he'll be able to last. But I just think Robbie might get the win. I'm looking forward to that. I can't wait because if Nick Diaz turns up and puts on a show, you know that's going to be a bigger WOW factor and people are going to be really shouting his name. He's going to be a star reborn again. I'm just glad that fight is also on my card. I'll be tuning in while I'm warming up backstage for sure."

Official UFC 266 pick: Robbie Lawler

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#4. Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping predicts predicts Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler 2

UFC commentator Michael Bisping believes Nick Diaz will be able to pick up where he left off. 'The Count' is confident that Diaz won't just win, but he'll do so in spectacular fashion. On his YouTube channel, Bisping said:

"I think Nick Diaz is going to go out there, it'll be like riding a bike. He'll just get right back to it, simple as that. I've got Nick Diaz winning that one. I think it's gonna be a stoppage. Round three. Round three TKO for Nick Diaz. But still, Robbie Lawler, you can never count him out."

As unpredictable as MMA is, Bisping believes there's only one way Diaz vs. Lawler 2 will unfold. Like the first fight, 'The Count' is convinced that Diaz and Lawler will likely trade bombs. Bisping also said Lawler might hesitate to take the fight to the ground. That's because Diaz is a "sensational" Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner who "will not be intimidated."

Official UFC 266 pick: Nick Diaz

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#3. UFC bantamweight star Sean O'Malley

Sean O'Malley predicts Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler 2

Nick Diaz and Robbie Lawler are obviously way past their athletic primes. However, UFC bantamweight star Sean O'Malley believes the two veterans will still put on a magnificent show.

O'Malley and his brother Daniel cast their predictions for the upcoming UFC 266 rematch in an episode of his YouTube show. 'Suga' said:

“Dude, Nick versus Robbie, who’ve we got? I don’t even know how to guess. You’ve got to go with Robbie. He’s been fighting way more. Nick’s been just partying, hanging, going hard. And you’ve gotta assume that. But we’ll see. That’s the beauty about fighting. We’ll see. We shall see. I think Robbie. But, dude, it’ll be sick to see Nick win. It’ll be so sick. But I don’t know, man. I don’t know.”

According to O'Malley, he would be happy to see the former Strikeforce welterweight champ pull-off the victory. However, he stuck with Robbie Lawler as his official selection.

Official UFC 266 pick: Robbie Lawler

#2. Former UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen

Chael Sonnen predicts Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler 2

Former UFC middleweight title challenger Chael Sonnen believes Nick Diaz will rise to the occasion in his comeback. 'The American Gangster' said on his YouTube show that he's convinced Diaz has been training hard and staying in shape despite being away from the octagon.

"My official prediction for Nick Diaz versus Robbie Lawler. I'm taking Nick Diaz and guys, I'm not bullish... I've gone back-and-forth, it has not always been Nick. Nick has convinced me that he stayed active. He has reminded me that he had his way with Robbie in Robbie's world, which was the stand-up, in their first fight, even if it was 17 years ago and that's not much to draw from."

Sonnen, however, jested that Diaz would probably lose now that had put a "curse" on him. The retired MMA star is said to be cursed as the fighters he picks to win usually end up losing.

Official UFC 266 pick: Nick Diaz

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#1. UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal

Jorge Masvidal predicts Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler 2

Two-time UFC welterweight title challenger Jorge Masvidal thinks ring rust will be a significant factor for both competitors. That said, though, 'Gamebred' believes Nick Diaz has the edge over Robbie Lawler despite being away from the UFC for a longer period.

In a Q&A session on his YouTube channel, Masvidal said he's worried about Lawler's last couple of performances. He also provided a breakdown of how he thinks Diaz vs. Lawler 2 will play out. He said:

"I haven’t seen Nick Diaz fight in eight years, so this fight, to me is very, like, I don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s not that ring rust is everything, but eight years is a lot of time to be sitting on the bench. So I want to say that Robbie hasn’t been looking like himself, he hasn’t been looking the greatest in his fights...this is a tough one to call for me. But if I was going to put money on it, I’d probably lean toward Nick.”

Official UFC 266 pick: Nick Diaz