Jason Miller, a retired fighter who once battled Nick Diaz, gave a happy update about the UFC star’s health recently on March 12, 2025. Nick had a tough year in 2024 with some personal troubles and strange videos that worried fans. Now Miller says things are getting better. He talked to broadcaster Ariel Helwani and shared news from Nick’s team about his journey back.
Nick Diaz, a 41 year old UFC legend from California, is famous for winning big titles and wild fights. His last match was a loss in 2021, and in 2024 he had to cancel two bouts because of personal stuff, like setting grass on fire in odd clips online.
A Message of Hope
Miller, now 44, got a note from someone close to Nick.
He told Helwani, “Somebody from Diaz’s camp gave me a note that said, ‘Hey, look, he’s getting it together.” That’s good news for fans who love Nick, a former champion known for his wild fights. Miller didn’t want to say too much, but he sounded glad Nick’s doing better.
Miller knows how tricky life can get for fighters like Nick.
He said, “It’s very sensitive to talk about this guy’s journey because I have a lot of empathy for it.” He explained, “Because it’s easy, like I said, to fall into this darkness. People do not understand how, you know, if you’re a C level celebrity, it’s super easy.”
Being famous isn’t always fun, and Miller gets that from his own past.
Fame can pull you in all directions.
Miller added, “A lot of people will glob on you and drag you in this direction, that direction.” He thinks it’s even tougher for big stars. “And it’s super easy to fall into, let alone huge, superstar champions like Nick Diaz and BJ Penn,” he said.
Both Nick and BJ were top fighters, but sometimes life outside the cage is the real battle.
Miller doesn’t want to sound mean about Nick’s struggles.
He said, “So it’s hard for me to come off without sounding negative about these guys’ experience right now.” But he’s hopeful. “But right now, look, we see that it’s not going perfect. And both camps have told me that they’re on the right path to get back together.”
That means Nick’s team and friends are helping him fix things.
Miller and Nick’s Past
Miller and Nick go way back. In 2010, at a Strikeforce event, Miller jumped into the cage after Nick’s friend Jake Shields won a fight. He asked for a rematch, and Nick, his brother Nate, and their team jumped Miller. It was a crazy brawl on TV. Now, years later, Miller isn’t mad. He wants to help Nick feel better.
Jason Miller fought his very last match in May 2016. It was his 59th time in the cage, but he lost to a guy named Mattia Schiavolin in Italy after getting hit hard. Back in 2011, Miller helped coach new fighters on a TV show called The Ultimate Fighter. He worked with Michael Bisping, a tough British fighter, and then fought him at the end. Bisping won with a big knee to Miller’s belly in the third round, and that was a rough day for Miller.
Nobody knows if Nick will fight again. He hasn’t said anything about the videos or his plans. But Miller’s words give hope. Fans can wait and see if Nick comes back stronger.
