Silva challenges Nick Diaz to rematch

Over two years have passed since he fought Nick Diaz, but Anderson Silva is still looking for closure.

The former UFC middleweight champion took to Instagram on Sunday to respectfully call out Diaz, who hasn't put his name on a bout agreement since his 18-month suspension for marijuana expired last summer.

Silva bested Diaz by unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 183 in January 2015, only for the result to be overturned to a no-contest when he tested positive for banned substances - hence the desire to run it back and put a button on their shared history.

"I believe this was one of the best fights in the history of this sport," Silva wrote. "With all my respect Nick. Let's show how it's done. I will wait your reply, maximum respect to the Diaz family."

"The Spider" dropped two straight following his five-round dance with Diaz, but most recently got back in the win column with a controversial decision over Derek Brunson at UFC 208.

Diaz - who was popped for marijuana metabolites in his drug screening for UFC 183 and subsequently handed the 18-month penance - hasn't seen the inside of a cage since, and hasn't had his hand raised in over five years.