Former UFC welterweight candidate Nick Diaz has made great strides in recovering from addiction issues, according to athletic recovery coach Jose Garcia. The 42-year-old mixed martial arts veteran joined a rehabilitation facility in Mexico in January 2025, reportedly overcame the challenges that previously affected him.
Latest Nick Diaz updates
Garcia shared the update through her Instagram account, saying, “Nick Diaz is doing very well and has overcome the challenges that have influenced him previously.” The coach emphasized that throughout Diaz’s struggle, his family and genuine supporters offered consistent support, while others tried to misuse his situation for personal gain.
The positive update comes after months of speculation and conflicting reports of Diaz’s location and status. Earlier this year, a woman claiming to be his girlfriend claimed he was forced to take her to a rehabilitation facility in Mexico against his will. These claims were contested by Diaz’s team, including longtime coach Cesar Gracie.
Garcia attributes part of Diaz’s success in recovery to the influence of his support partners who value him beyond his fame and material possessions. In a recent Instagram post, Garcia shared a healthy, content-showing image of Diaz, including photos taken on August 16, 2025.
The recovery coach tackled the criticism and speculation surrounding his updates, saying his focus is not on personal relationships but on Diaz’s health and happiness. “What do you want for my ninja? I’m providing an update on Nick Diaz’s recovery, not his personal relationship,” Garcia wrote in response to a negative comment.
Drug abuse
Dias’s fight against substance abuse came out in late 2024 when a video appeared to be disrupted while trying to burn. The incident happened just before he was scheduled to fight Vicente Luque in UFC 310.
The former Strike Force welterweight champion has faced multiple set-offs throughout his career, including a five-year suspension from the Nevada Marijuana Use Committee in 2015. His final UFC suffered a TKO loss in the third round against the 2021 lobby roller after six years of leave from the competition.
The situation is complicated by the ongoing conflict within Diaz’s inner circle. There have been allegations regarding his social media accounts and management of financial issues, claiming that various parties will act in his best interests. These conflicts created additional stress during his recovery process.
Garcia expressed his gratitude to the fans who supported Diaz throughout his recovery journey, sought for continued positive thoughts rather than negativity. The coach emphasizes Diaz is now in optimum health and well-being, showing significant improvements from his previous state.
At 42, he has been away from active competition for a long time, so questions remain as to whether Diaz will return to the pro fight. However, the focus appears to be on his continued happiness and maintaining the progress he made in his recovery program.