Nick Diaz believed he was robbed of becoming a UFC champion 14 years ago today.

Nick Diaz threatened to retire in the cage after refusing to 'accept' defeat in first UFC title shot

The Stockton star is among the all-time top fan favorites from throughout both UFC and mixed martial arts history as a whole.

Diaz thrilled plenty of crowds with his performances, one of which saw him become the inaugural welterweight champion in Strikeforce.

But his career inside the cage is absent of one major accolade: a UFC title. That is despite the 42-year-old having had two opportunities to have gold wrapped around his waist on MMA’s biggest stage.

Before Diaz lost to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158 for the undisputed welterweight crown, the older brother of Nate Diaz had a crack at an interim belt in the division.

Nick Diaz said he was done in MMA after losing to Carlos Condit at UFC 143

On this day, February 4, in 2012, the UFC 143 pay-per-view took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Diaz’s title clash with Carlos Condit headlined a card that featured standout wins for the likes of Fabricio Werdum, Josh Koscheck, and Renan Barao. Dustin Poirier also spoiled Max Holloway’s UFC debut at the event, submitting ‘Blessed’ with a gruesome triangle armbar.

Condit defeated Diaz via unanimous decision in the main event, a result that the defeated Californian certainly did not agree with.

In fact, he was so furious to hear that the judges scored the fight against him that Diaz refused to acknowledge the loss and vowed to retire from MMA.

“I’m not going to accept the fact that this was a loss,” Diaz said while speaking to Joe Rogan post-fight.

“I’ve lost fights like this before, and I’m not going to accept those either. Carlos is a great guy. I’m happy for him and his family, but I think I’m done with this MMA.

“It’s been great out here. I’ve had a good career. You guys pay me way too much, but I don’t think I’m going to get enough to keep going in this. It’s been a good time,” he added.

“I pushed this guy backwards. He ran from me the whole fight… I landed the harder shots. He ran the whole time. He kicked me in the leg with little baby leg kicks the whole fight.

“That’s the way they understand to win in here. I don’t want to play this game no more.”

UFC 143: Diaz v Condit

Nick Diaz is still pushing for a UFC title 14 years later

A lot has happened involving Diaz in the years since his controversial loss to Condit. In terms of his MMA career, not much of it has been good.

After a positive marijuana test following his fight with Anderson Silva in 2015, the Stockton star did not return for six years.

When he did find his way back to the Octagon, Diaz was stopped by Robbie Lawler at UFC 266 in a fight that left many calling for his retirement.

Multiple failed bookings in 2024 were followed by a forced stint in a Mexican rehab facility, from which he was only recently released.

But despite his inactivity, age, and issues away from the Octagon, Diaz still wants a UFC title.

“I see myself becoming world champion,” Diaz said during an interview with Baja Rehab.

“I see myself becoming world champion, and I think it’s easy money.

“It’s not like before. People are going to see a brand new me,” he added.