Nick Diaz Arrives in Las Vegas, Interested in Anderson Silva Bout Since 2006

Nick Diaz arrived in the Sin City after missing his flight from Sacramento, California to Las Vegas on Tuesday afternoon. According to UFC President Dana White, the 31-year-old has made it to Las Vegas for his upcoming fight against Anderson Silva in the five-round main event of the UFC 183 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Jan. 31.

"We had staff that saw him yesterday in the airport and he elected to not get on the flight," Dan Sholler, UFC vice president of public relations said. "His bags did arrive. Again, I can't speak to why Nick decided not to get on the flight, but we're moving on as if the fight is happening Saturday.”

According to Sholler, he is confident that the Anderson vs. Diaz fight is happening on schedule. However, UFC has not communicated with Nick Diaz directly but to his manager Lloyd Pierson.

Nick Diaz first thought of fighting Anderson Silva in 2006, when Rumble on the Rock put on a 175-pound tournament. Silva, who was disqualified in the first round after an illegal upkick to Yshin Okami, was one of the eight men involved in the tournament that was won by Jake Shields.

Nick Diaz revealed that he wanted to be a part of the tournament but he was never invited to join. According to Diaz, he had always looked Anderson Silva as a potential opponent but he was focused on facing Georges St-Pierre in the welterweight division. Diaz added that he does not see the 39-year-old as an inspiration to him but he considers the Brazilian as one of the best fighters.

Anderson Silva will mark his return to the Octagon after his leg injury that prevented him from entering the cage for more than a year, while Nick Diaz is returning from “retirement” after losing against Georges St-Pierre in March 2013. Silva revealed that the upcoming fight against Nick Diaz is great for the UFC fans especially that both of them did not fight for a long time.

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