Luque-Nick Diaz, Ferguson-Chiesa set for UFC Abu Dhabi

Nick Diaz will return to action for a five-round welterweight bout against Vicente Luque in the UFC Abu Dhabi co-main event Aug. 3, UFC CEO Dana White announced Wednesday.

Additionally, Tony Ferguson will move up to 170 pounds to take on Michael Chiesa.

Diaz hasn't stepped into the Octagon since a TKO loss to former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 266 in September 2021. That was his first fight in over six years. Diaz, 40, is a former 170-pound title challenger and was one of the most popular and beloved fighters in the sport during his prime.

Diaz's last two bouts - against Lawler and Anderson Silva - took place at middleweight, but he is now headed back to welterweight.

Diaz pushed for fights against Georges St-Pierre, Colby Covington, Michael "Venom" Page, and Kevin Holland before the Luque matchup came to fruition, according to MMA reporter Ariel Helwani.

Luque is coming off a knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlantic City in March and has lost three of his last four outings. Luque is ranked No. 14 in the division.

Ferguson will attempt to snap a seven-fight losing streak when he squares off with Chiesa. The former interim lightweight champion fought Nate Diaz at welterweight in 2022 but returned to 155 pounds for his last two contests. Ferguson's most recent victory came against the now-retired Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone in 2019.

Chiesa is looking to pick up his first win since 2021. "Maverick" is coming off three straight losses to Kevin Holland, Sean Brady, and Luque and recently fell out of the top 15.

The stacked UFC Abu Dhabi card will be headlined by a bantamweight fight between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov. White confirmed Marlon "Chito" Vera will take on Deiveson Figueiredo and also announced a new strawweight matchup between Mackenzie Dern and Loopy Godinez to round out the main card.