Nick Diaz urged to fight Jorge Masvidal by Jake Shields as UFC legend is 'the original bad motherf***er' in MMA

NICK DIAZ has been urged by team-mate Jake Shields to fight Jorge Masvidal – as he is 'the original bad motherf***er' in MMA.

Diaz has not fought since 2015, a no-contest with Anderson Silva, but is in talks to make a UFC return.

He was in line to fight fan-favourite Masvidal in 2018, only for negotiations to collapse.

Diaz's little brother Nate ended up facing Masvidal a year later with a custom-made 'Baddest Mother F***er' belt put on the line.

Nate, 36, was pulled out after three rounds due to a gruesome gash, leaving the rivalry open for his brother to renew.

Shields told The Schmo: “I think Masvidal would make sense.

"That would be a tough fight, but a huge money fight. They can build it up, they both came up that thug lifestyle.

"They can build it, the 'Bad Motherf***er belt or something.

“Nick was the original bad motherf***er in the sport, so that fight would make sense in my opinion.

"That’d be a mega fight in my opinion. Having fought Nate as well, they can build the story up and sell that fight huge.”

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Diaz's manager last announced the veteran welterweight was ready to make a return.

UFC president White was initially sceptical, but has now revealed negotiations are intensifying.

He told UFC Arabia: “I didn’t think that it would happen, but it looks like it will. It looks like Nick will fight this year.

"The last time I saw him, I saw him in Jacksonville. But yeah, looks like it's going to happen. So, we'll see."

Diaz, 37, attended UFC 261 in April, as Masvidal, 36, was knocked out by Kamaru Usman, 34.

White has not had direct contact with him about a comeback opponent but matchmakers have been in talks.

Diaz's last fight was at middleweight, against UFC legend Anderson Silva, now 46, which initially ended in defeat.

But it was overturned to a no-contest due to a failed test by Silva, while Diaz was also suspended.

It came after he tested positive for marijuana which initially gave him an unprecedented FIVE YEAR ban.

Upon appeal, it was overturned to 18 months, but even after serving the suspension, Diaz never returned.

In the years since, he was watched as little brother Nate rose to stardom, thanks in large to his rivalry with Conor McGregor, 32.

Diaz has since been training with his brother, who returned last Saturday against Brit Leon Edwards, but was beaten on points.