EXCLUSIVE | Stephen Thompson “I would love to see Diaz vs. Lawler 2 at UFC 209”

Way back at UFC 47 in 2004 Nick Diaz made his second appearance under the UFC banner when he took on feared striker Robbie Lawler.

After a back and forth battle, Nick was able to catch Robbie with a short right hook that sent “Ruthless” crashing to the canvas.

Since then both Diaz and Lawler have gone on to have remarkable mixed martial arts careers.

Nick Diaz went on to become the Strikeforce welterweight champion and eventually challenged Georges St-Pierre for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 158 in a losing effort.

Meanwhile, Robbie Lawler became the UFC welterweight champion in December of 2014 at UFC 181 when he defeated Johny Hendricks via split-decision. “Ruthless” would go on to defend that title on two occasions before eventually surrendering the strap to Tyron Woodley at UFC 201 this past July in Atlanta.

Since their first battle many years ago, fans have always been clamoring for a rematch to be put together between Nick and Robbie.

Last month our very own Chris Taylor reported that a rematch between Lawler and Diaz was in the works to co-headline March’s UFC 209 event in Las Vegas.

I jumped the gun with "headlining".. Apparently Woodley vs. Thompson 2 is targeted to headline #UFC209, Diaz vs. Lawler 2 would be co-main.

— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) December 13, 2016

Unfortunately for fight fans, just days after Taylor’s tweet UFC commentator Joe Rogan reported that Nick Diaz had turned down the opportunity to fight Lawler for a second time.

In fact, Nick Diaz has recently turned down numerous fights that the UFC has offered him including Conor McGregor and Tyron Woodley (see that story here).

Top UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson was a recent guest on BJPENN.com’s Rapid Fire segment with host Chris Taylor where he discussed UFC 209 and a potential rematch between Robbie Lawler and Nate Diaz.

• UFC 209 has the potential to be a massive card. For the first time in a long time, not one current UFC champion is booked to defend their belt. In addition to that, both Diaz brothers (Nick and Nate) have been rumored for the event.

“Oh yea the card (UFC 209) has a ton of potential. Of course I remember you saying that Nick was being targeted to fight Robbie Lawler at the event. Which would have been a super cool. But then Rogan said Nick turned it down or something.”

He continued:

“Hopefully they (The UFC) can get that back (Lawler vs. Diaz 2). Because I would love to see that fight. I mean again because that is a rematch. They fought each other in Strikeforce? Or what was it?”

• No it was actually at UFC 47 in like 2004 I believe.

“No way! Back when Robbie still had hair,” Thompson said laughing. “But yea I would love to see that rematch. That would be big!”

Would you like to see a rematch between Robbie Lawler and Nick Diaz booked for UFC 209 on March 4? Who do you think would win the rematch? Sound off PENN Nation!