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UFC 2017 news: Rogan said Diaz turned down rematch with Lawler

An image of Nick Diaz | UFC

While Nate Diaz gained fame for beating Conor McGregor in their first fight, his brother, Nick, has been relatively quiet on the sidelines. The Stockton, California native hasn't fought since 2015 when he faced Anderson Silva at UFC 183, after which he was suspended for failing his post-fight drug test due to the marijuana metabolites present in his urine samples.

But that suspension was lifted back in August last year, and fans were eagerly waiting for the announcement for his next fight. Unfortunately, the announcement never came. In his recent The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, UFC commentator Joe Rogan revealed (via MMA Fighting) that the UFC actually offered him a fight with former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler, but he turned it down.

Rogan said he would love to see that fight, however, Nick only wants to fight a big name fighter, or a title fight when he returns. Well, many will argue that Lawler is certainly a popular fighter and a huge draw, but Nick doesn't think so.

Pundits have been talking about a potential Diaz versus McGregor fight also, but so far neither camp has commented on it. Furthermore, UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has repeatedly said that he wanted to fight Diaz, but Nick has yet to reply to the challenges — at least publicly.

Woodley told BJPenn.com that he actually met Diaz in a night club and they talked.

"He's not scared to fight me or Robbie or Conor McGregor. Nick wants to get paid man. He's held out in the past and it has worked out in his favor. He went out there and fought Anderson Silva for close to a million bucks. He knows that he pushes the needle. Plus there is a card, 209, so he understands what he is worth to that card. So I can't knock him for that. It's more of a situation of him wanting to get paid," Woodley stated.

Well, if the UFC wants one of their biggest draws back in the octagon, they better show him the money.