Nick Diaz vs. Anderson Silva official for ufc 183

Today, Dana White appeared on ESPN with a fight announcement that had been teased all week. Anderson Silva will be making his return from injury on January 31st in Las Vegas, and when he does so, Nick Diaz will be there to meet him. Max Bretos announced the news via Twitter:

Max Bretos        ✔ @mbretosESPN
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Dana White announcing on @SportsCenter Anderson Silva will be back in #UFC Octagon. He will face Nick Diaz January 31st. Boom


Anderson will be returning from a little over a year on the sidelines, following a gruesome lower leg break, suffered in his second bout against Chris Weidman. The loss marked the first back to back losses of Silva's career, as well as solidifying Weidman's grip on the UFC middleweight title. Silva's rehab has been big news, as the fighter was quick to return to walking and even training on the injured leg, but still ended up taking a reasonably cautious amount of time before returning to the cage.

Diaz won't be on any fresher legs when he meets Silva. The older Diaz brother hasn't fought since UFC 158, when he was handily outworked for 5 rounds by Georges St-Pierre. That loss was his second in a row, following a decision against Carlos Condit, and a short term retirement inbetween the two. He went into retirement again after his GSP loss and will have been out of the sport for nearly two years by the time he returns to face Silva in January.

No venue has been announced for the card as of yet, but it has to be assumed that the bout will be on PPV. Stay tuned to Bloody Elbow as I'm sure more details will be forthcoming.

UPDATE: Brett Okamoto also announced via Twitter that the bout will take place at middleweight and that the event will be a PPV, UFC 183.

Brett Okamoto @bokamotoESPN
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Silva vs. Diaz will be fought at 185 pounds as you would expect. Event is UFC 183 PPV.
12:06 AM - 30 Jul 2014

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2014/7/29/5949753/ufc-books-anderson-silva-vs-nick-diaz-official-january-31st-event-mma-news

This is going to be epic.

Fun fight. Can't wait to see it.

This ppv will probly be one of the biggest draws in ufc history.....

I CANT WAIT!

I'm just as excited, but I can't help but think it will end in a round or two with Nick being front kicked in the head. An easy win for Silva. I don't think Diaz has anything for him.

I don't agree Diaz has EVERYTHING for him.

Anderson will be jabbed in the mouth if he tries dropping his hands and Diaz has cardio to break Silva.

Diaz jitz is no joke but there wont be any groundwork.

Diaz can smother Silva and if nothing else give us a real standup clinic.

Are people forgetting Diaz doesn't have a glassjaw? He can take punishment as well as dish it.

This is the most excited I've been for a fight since fedor fought....

fka wrote:I don't agree Diaz has EVERYTHING for him.

Anderson will be jabbed in the mouth if he tries dropping his hands and Diaz has cardio to break Silva.

Diaz jitz is no joke but there wont be any groundwork.

Diaz can smother Silva and if nothing else give us a real standup clinic.

Are people forgetting Diaz doesn't have a glassjaw? He can take punishment as well as dish it.

This is the most excited I've been for a fight since fedor fought....

Yeah, I can see Diaz smothering Silva with his unique boxing style, beating Silva's ribs and kidneys, and Silva not being able to get off the counters he wants. I just feel that my scenario is the most likely, either Diaz taunts and gets flash Ko'd or he just leaves himself open to a counter due to whatever. Silva is good at knocking out people who want to trade shots with him.

Dana says if Diaz beats Silva he may get a title shot.

i wonder what the rest of the card will be like

I really hope this is at 180lb catchweight.

Its a mw 185

Heretic wrote:i wonder what the rest of the card will be like

A bunch of nobodies I'm sure. They know they won't have to stack this thing.

Guarantee they throw rousey on there and claim she drew in all the buys LOL.

Very nice, I'll pick Silva because of his size and power mostly but Nick presents many great challenges for him. A classically trained boxer with slick ground skills, an iron chin and cardio for weeks. Anderson has never faced someone like Diaz.

Great fight!! Cannot wait for this one.

Got a really good laugh out of this when I saw it on twitter last night.

Yeah hilarious how Diaz finally getting paid what he wants and gets the fights he wants.

This will be a huge ppv draw with any sort of decent Co main they will get a good return.

Should they actually put effort intovtgis card it could be tremendous lets see how it unfolds.

fka wrote:Its a mw 185

Lame, this fight should be a 180lb catchweight at least. The fact that this will be MW really takes some of my interest away honestly.

Zuffa getting desperate to save their sinking ship and finally offer Diaz the cash that he demands & the fight he asked for

Yeah but he can make it worth it to zuffa Guy puts on fights people want to see and talk about.

This fight shoulda happened when Diaz wanted Silva when he was in strikeforce but oh well I'm still really hyped stylistically a dream fight.

Silva is too big with too much reach but I hope Diaz can prove me wrong.