UFC veteran Nick Diaz is gearing up for his second attempt at a successful comeback. The former Strikeforce welterweight champion, who has competed for UFC gold against notable fighters like Carlos Condit and Georges St-Pierre, has only entered the Octagon once since 2015.

Following a drug test controversy after his bout with Anderson Silva, Diaz's return to the UFC was delayed until UFC 266 in 2021, where he faced Robbie Lawler. In that fight, Diaz struggled to find his form and ultimately did not rise to his feet after being dropped in the third round, prompting many to speculate about his potential retirement.

However, Diaz hinted at future bouts and has now officially announced his return. UFC CEO Dana White recently confirmed the main card for the promotion's return to Abu Dhabi on August 3. One of the featured bouts will be a welterweight clash between Diaz (26-10, 2 NC) and the #14-ranked Vicente Luque (22-10-1).

In a surprising turn of events, light heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree has confirmed his withdrawal from the UFC 303 co-main event against former champion Jamahal Hill. Rountree, who is currently ranked eighth in the division, has been placed under a “temporary suspension” after testing positive for the banned substance DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone).

Rountree was set to make a high-stakes return to the Octagon next month during International Fight Week, co-headlining UFC 303 alongside Hill. However, the fighter announced on his official Instagram account that he will no longer participate due to the suspension.

“I can’t wait to break the news to you all, but I will not be fighting at UFC 303 due to the use of a banned substance,” posted Rountree. “I did not do this on purpose and I am doing everything I can to resolve this situation.”

According to Rountree, the banned substance entered his system inadvertently through a custom-tailored supplement service from a trusted company. The mix-up led to him ingesting DHEA, which is prohibited at all times under the UFC’s anti-doping policy.

The anticipation is building as UFC prepares for its first visit to Manchester, England since 2016. The main card for UFC 304 has been unveiled, promising an action-packed night at the Co-op Live on July 27.

In the headline event, Leon Edwards will defend his welterweight title against Belal Muhammad. This highly anticipated rematch comes after their first bout ended in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke. Edwards, currently on a 13-fight unbeaten streak, looks to solidify his dominance since claiming the welterweight crown from Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. His opponent, Muhammad, brings his own impressive 10-fight unbeaten streak into the Octagon, eager to prove himself and settle unfinished business.

The co-main event will feature Tom Aspinall defending the interim heavyweight title against Curtis Blaydes. Aspinall, who won the interim belt by defeating Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295, will make his first defense. Originally, Jon Jones was slated to headline UFC 295, but an injury led to the creation of the interim title bout. Blaydes, fresh off a knockout victory over Jailton Almeida at UFC 299, will challenge Aspinall, marking his first title fight in his mixed martial arts career.

As Anthony Smith gears up for UFC 301, he's not shying away from addressing the online trolls who have been targeting him.

Known for his role as a UFC analyst and frequent presence on podcasts, Smith has become accustomed to criticism from online commentators. Often, these critics resort to insults whenever they disagree with his opinions. However, Smith refuses to let the negativity affect him.

During a media day for UFC 301, Smith didn't hold back in his response to the trolls. "Some of it is the position I put myself in as being an analyst," he explained. "Fans are stupid. They are. Like, you guys write an article and they don’t read the article. They just read the headline and they just make up the rest in their head. If they actually read it, almost everything I say makes a lot of sense."

Emerging middleweights Brendan Allen and Paul Craig are set to clash in the main event at the UFC Apex Facility in Las Vegas. Allen, riding a five-fight winning streak, steps into his first headlining appearance after an impressive debut on Dana White's Contender Series in 2019. However, facing Paul Craig, known for being a tricky opponent with notable wins at light heavyweight, won't be an easy task. Despite Craig not currently being on a winning streak, his victories over fighters like Jamahal Hill and Nikita Krylov showcase his skill set. With Craig now competing in the middleweight division, this promises to be an exciting matchup at 185, potentially leading to significant opportunities for the winner. Check out the full card and odds for the featured bouts.

Chael Sonnen swiftly fires back at Jorge Masvidal's recent insults. After Masvidal sided with Ariel Helwani in the recent feud with Sonnen, referring to Sonnen as "a b****" and more, Sonnen didn't let the remarks go unnoticed. Responding on social media, Sonnen didn't hold back, taking jabs at Masvidal's recent UFC losses and his resolved assault case with Colby Covington. Sonnen even claimed that Masvidal sought career advice from him in the past, adding a touch of sarcasm by suggesting they focus on more plausible matters. Chael responded with "Does he think he's talking to someone else?"

In a highly anticipated prelude to UFC 299, the newly-crowned UFC bantamweight champion, Sean O'Malley, and the tenacious contender, Marlon Vera, engaged in their inaugural staredown in the vibrant backdrop of New York City.

Khamzat Chimaev's Open Challenge for Big Paydays

Following Paulo Costa's late-notice withdrawal, former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman steps up to face Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight clash at UFC 294, creating an exciting matchup under unforeseen circumstances. Chimaev believes the roster sees him as a lucrative opponent and understands why Usman would take the risk.

During the UFC 294 media day, Chimaev addressed the possibility of facing Usman in the future. He explained that he would move down to welterweight if Usman held the belt. Still, as Usman lost his chance to reclaim the title from Leon Edwards, Chimaev didn't want to cut weight unnecessarily. He emphasized that Usman is here for the money, but he's also eager to win, as fighters always are.