Masvidal finds it difficult to predict the fight between Nick Diaz and Robbie Lawler, but he ventures a guess

N. Diaz (left) and R. Lawler (right) relive the 2004 confrontation in UFC 266. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage

More than 17 years after their first meeting, Nick Diaz e Robbie Lawler will share the Octagon again, but in a completely different scenario. While the former welterweight champion (up to 77kg) has a difficult recent history, the 'bad boy' returns to Ultimate after eight years of inactivity. Keeping an eye on the confrontation, Jorge masvidal found it difficult to analyze the clash, but risked the favorite.

See too

Video: Conor McGregor gets into trouble with musician Machine Gun Kelly during MTV awards

Michael Bisping praises Anderson Silva after fight against Tito Ortiz: 'He's the Bruce Lee of the modern era'

Defeated by Vitor Belfort, Evander Holyfield criticizes the referee's interruption

After mocking Anderson and ending up stretched out in the ring, Ortiz surrenders to the legend: 'Not even Liddell hit me like that'

Gaethje criticizes Chandler's anti-vaccine comments and believes he is close to a title shot

“I'm very interested in this result, of course. I love Robbie Lawler. We were teammates for years. He's one of the best in the sport. I don't think he's the same as he was four years ago. I do not see Nick Diaz fight for eight. So, I don’t know what will happen in this fight”, said Jorge, on his channel YouTube.

Although he understands that the moment for both men may cause doubts, the former challenger for the category belt did not want to leave the question unanswered. Betting on the recent negative record of the former group champion, Masvidal bet his chips on Diaz.

“I don't know if he (Nick) has stayed in shape in these eight years. It's not that rust is everything, but eight years is a long time to sit on the bench. I want to say that Robbie hasn't presented himself as himself, he hasn't done well in his fights. It’s difficult, but if I were to put money in, I’d bet on Nick”, he concluded.

Former Strikeforce champion and former welterweight title challenger, Diaz has not fought professionally since 2015. At the time, the North American was the athlete chosen to receive Anderson Silva on the Brazilian's return to the octagon after the serious injury suffered in 2013.

Leader of the welterweight division between 2014 and 2016, Lawler is experiencing great instability within the UFC. Since he lost the belt to Tyron woodley, for five years, the veteran has accumulated five appearances. In commitments, the North American won on just one occasion, in 2017, when he overcame Donald Cerrone. After that, Robbie was beaten in his other four challenges.

Poatan in danger? Veteran calls for 'war' and believes in victory against Brazilian in UFC