Nick Diaz Prefers Football Players in MMA Over One-Dimensional Wrestlers

Nick Diaz believes football players who transition into MMA outperform “one-dimensional wrestlers.”

Diaz may be making his way back to the Octagon after being cleared by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Diaz accepted a one-year sanction following three Whereabouts Failures and can now compete should he sign a bout agreement with the UFC.

It’s no secret that Diaz has been outspoken about wrestlers. It was wrestling that doomed Diaz in his UFC welterweight title bout against Georges St-Pierre. He still believes having a wrestling game won’t solve the problems of all fighters.

Speaking to TMZ, Diaz said even football players find more success in MMA:

“You know what, football players, they actually do best in MMA. A lot of times, you get a lot of wrestlers, and they get into the whole thing, and they’re very one-dimensional. They develop a lot of bad habits.”

There are quite a few former football players who have transitioned to MMA. Matt Mitrione was a defensive tackle in the NFL. He’ll be taking on the winner of Ryan Bader vs. Muhammed Lawal in a semi-finals match in the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix.

Diaz hasn’t competed since Jan. 2015. He initially lost to Anderson Silva via unanimous decision. The result was changed to a No Contest when Silva popped for banned substances. Diaz wasn’t in the clear either as he was flagged for marijuana. After a lengthy battle with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Diaz eventually reached an agreement that saw him avoid a five-year suspension.