Nick Diaz hints at third retirement in three fights with '#dunfighting' post on Instagram

Nick Diaz

Nick Diaz failing a drug test for marijuana metabolites after UFC 183 was a shock to no one. The shock was reserved for Anderson Silva’s test failure for two separate performance-enhancing drugs.

Diaz’s next step also likely shouldn’t be a shock to anyone after he sent out an Instagram post that seemed to hint at the possibility of retirement:

Assuming the #dunfighting hashtag the fighter included at the end of his post means Diaz (26-10 MMA, 7-7 UFC) is “done fighting,” it would be the third consecutive fight in which Diaz announced retirement following a loss.

After coming up short in his bid for the interim UFC welterweight championship against Carlos Condit at UFC 143, Diaz said, “I don’t need this sh-t,” and suggested that beyond helping his brother and teammates, he had no interest in continuing his MMA career. Much of the talk stemmed from Diaz’s frustration with the scoring of the bout; he believed he’d done enough to earn the victory.

Diaz would be given time to think it over by the Nevada State Athletic Commission when it suspended him for a year for failing his UFC 143 drug test for marijuana metabolites.

The retirement didn’t stick, though. Diaz would face Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title at UFC 158. But after losing a wide decision, Diaz again retired, saying: “I don’t think I’ve really got it anymore.”

He would say in April 2013 that the only way he would leave retirement was for a rematch with St-Pierre or a bout with Silva. The Silva fight was not likely at the time and Diaz would stay out of action for almost two years before returning after signing a new UFC contract and having things fall into place for his shot at Silva.

Diaz lost the fight, again believing the decision was unjust. Combined with whatever action the NSAC takes for his latest failed drug test, Diaz might truly be “#dunfighting.”

Will the retirement stick this time? Was this even an actual retirement?

It’s unlikely that anyone – even Nick Diaz – truly knows.

For more on UFC 183, check out the UFC Events section of the site.