Dana White: Nick Diaz 'liked' offer to fight Hector Lombard next, but was 'never heard from again'

It seems like we're inching closer to Nick Diaz's eventual Octagon return.

The pride of Stockton, Calif., was recently present at UFC 171, heckling main event fighter -- and eventual Welterweight champion, Johny Hendricks -- seemingly having a good time.

However, Diaz is quite picky when it comes to his next bout because the former No. 1 title challenger doesn't want to come back for just any fight. Even though he would prefer at a shot at the welterweight gold, it does make his potential suitors a limited bunch.

Earlier today at a media junction in Los Angleles, Calif., company president Dana White revealed that Diaz was offered another fight -- a big one -- against former Bellator Middleweight kingpin Hector Lombard. The match up is solid, with both sluggers preferring to trade blows at the center of the Octagon.

It could be something special.

In fact, according to White, Diaz initially liked the idea ... then he never heard from him since (via UFC on FOX):

Dana White said he wanted to make Nick Diaz vs. Hector Lombard. Diaz liked the fight, "but then I never heard from him again."

— UFCONFOX (@UFCONFOX) April 9, 2014

The former 170-pound UFC title challenger is currently on a two-fight losing streak, dropping title fights to Carlos Condit and Georges St-Pierre, respectively. His most recent stint with UFC has been disappointing, with a record (1-2) that doesn't necessarily dovetail with his lofty expectations.

Lombard would seemingly appeal to Diaz, if for nothing else because one of his main training partners and good friends over the years, Jake Shields, was recently cut by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) somewhat unsympathetically after losing to Lombard at UFC 171.

Then again, White was even less sympathetic when addressing comments made by Nick's brother, Nate Diaz, about his current salary.

Perhaps that's the reason he went ghost ... again.