Sean Sheehan 
The fight every MMA fan has been clamouring for is finally set. Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva will meet the newly un-retired Nick Diaz on Saturday, January 31st, 2015 – the night before Superbowl 49. The news was today confirmed by UFC President Dana White.
Diaz has been on the shelf since losing his UFC title fight against former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre in March of 2013. After that fight, the outspoken Diaz retired with the only exception being that he was willing to compete again if a rematch with St-Pierre or a superfight with Anderson Silva was commissioned.
“The only reason I’m here right now is because I want a rematch…… I think I may be a better match-up for Anderson Silva as well.” Diaz said in the UFC 158 post fight press conference.
Now, it seems, Diaz has been granted his wish.
Silva, the longest reigning champion in the history of the UFC, has also been out of action since 2013. The Brazilian suffered a gruesome leg break in his rematch with Chris Weidman at UFC 168 after losing his title in similarly shocking fashion at UFC 162 five months earlier. His recovery and rehab has been well documented online with all the signs pointing towards a swift and full return.
The fight is likely to take place at middleweight, a division more suited to Silva but shouldn’t be too much of a stretch for the Stockton native who has fought previously at 180 lbs and 179 lbs catchweights. Diaz (26-9, 1 no contest) is a former Strikeforce welterweight champion who won eleven fights in a row before giving up back-to-back championship losses to Carlos Condit (Interim) and Georges St-Pierre respectively before his semi-retirement. While Silva (33-6) also lost his last two outings following an even more impressive thirteen fight unbeaten stretch.
Neither man is backward in coming forward inside or outside of the cage which makes for an intriguing battle. The build up and fight itself look certain to be one every MMA fanatic can savor.
