Cesar Gracie: Nick Diaz will return for 'big fights' following UFC 183 drug test fiasco

Apparently Nick Diaz is not planning on retiring after all.

Diaz's head coach Cesar Gracie was on the MMA Hour earlier this week to discuss Stockton's favorite mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, and he indicated that fans have definitely not seen the last of Diaz inside the Octagon despite his third failed test for marijuana following UFC 183.

From MMAFighting:

"Let's face it. He's a fighter and he's gonna fight. It's gonna happen."

"I think a guy like him is better served doing big fights, no matter where they're at. Seriously, no matter where the fight is -- even if he has to go down a lighter weight than even 170. He wants big fights. That's what motivates him. I think that's what the greatest guys did was they didn't look so much at weight classes, but they looked at the big fights that motivate them."

Gracie went on to discuss potential bouts for Diaz against No. 1 middleweight contender Vitor Belfort, or even a rematch with UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler -- which Gracie admitted is far-fetched considering the Stockton native just lost a decision to Anderson Silva.

However, with news that "The Spider's" victory will likely be overturned to a No Contest by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), maybe the bout against "Ruthless" is not as unlikely as it seems.

Then again, Diaz himself failed a post-fight UFC 183 drug test -- which Gracie noted was "not a shocker" -- and he will likely face a lengthy suspension from the NSAC when he faces the music at a March or April disciplinary hearing.

For more news and information on the Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz UFC 183 drug testing scandal, follow along on our story stream right here.