5 reasons why Nick Diaz will find it difficult to thrive in the current UFC middleweight division

2) Diaz's inactivity before 2020

This is Nick Diaz earlier today. He weighs in the 175-165 pound range, per his manager Kevin Mubenga. He just completed a 14-week diet and training regimen. This is the first time he cuts weight in approximately four years, Mubenga said. Diaz wanted to do a test cut because ... pic.twitter.com/5A8EvyLeUn

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 7, 2020

Diaz returned to his fighting weight in September last year following a 14-week training and diet regime. However, this showed that he was not keeping himself busy with training between his suspension and Ariel Helwani's post above.

If Nick Diaz loses his first fight at middleweight, he is likely to find himself in a worse situation than his younger brother's past opponent, Conor McGregor.

After his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, McGregor said that taking a break from the UFC played an important role in his loss. In the post-fight interview, the Irishman said:

"You know its hard to overcome inactivity over long periods of time and that's just it."

He further added:

"If you aren't putting the time in here(the octagon), you're gonna get cozy in here."

Upon being asked whether he would compete again in 2021, he replied:

"Of course, I need the activity guys, come on. You just don't get away with being inactive in this business and that's the way it is."

If Nick Diaz were truly aiming to make a comeback, it would have been ideal for him to have continued with training enough to keep himself in shape throughout his suspension. His lack of preparation and readiness to stay fight-ready could be indicative of a bigger problem.

1) Questionable desire

The Stockton slugger has always been dissatisfied with some of his own losses and that of his brother's throughout their professional MMA careers. That includes losses that each of the brothers has faced either by way of a decision or by TKO due to doctor stoppage.

'Diablo' has always been dissatisfied if he or Nate Diaz loses. Regardless of whether the defeats were the right outcome, the brothers have lesser faith in the promotions in which they lost the fights.

The Diaz brothers have often expressed resentment and disinterest in fighting in the octagon, starting with Nick Diaz's decision loss to Carlos Condit at UFC 146.

Michael Bisping has expressed disappointment in them for the way they handled their losses.

This makes us question whether Nick Diaz is returning to the octagon to become a top competitor or make money? Either way, he will find it difficult to thrive in the middleweight division.