Nickolas Robert “Nick” Diaz (born August 2, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist and promoter, currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), currently on hiatus from fighting. Widely regarded as a pioneer for the sport of MMA and since beginning his career in 2001, Diaz has competed in UFC, PRIDE, Strikeforce, EliteXC, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), DREAM, and Shooto. He is a former welterweight champion in Strikeforce and WEC, and is the older brother of Nate Diaz.