A lot can change in six-and-a-half years. Over the course of 83 pay-per-view events, UFC gold has changed hands no fewer than 43 times, while a legion of new stars have made their name on the biggest of stages.
Yet, despite his frustrating exile from the sport, Nick Diaz remains a bona fide UFC superstar. Two title fights may be taking place at UFC 266 this weekend but, make no mistake, all eyes will be on the 38-year-old as he makes his long-awaited return to the Octagon.
It has been a long hiatus for the Stockton-born fan-favourite. Diaz last competed against UFC legend Anderson Silva at UFC 183 in January 2015, where he initially lost by unanimous decision.
After a six-and-a-half-year exile, Nick Diaz makes his return to the UFC this weekend
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However, Silva tested positive in pre-fight drug screening for drostanolone, androstane, oxazepem, and temazepam, rendering the fight a no contest.
But it was bad news for Diaz, too. The 38-year-old had tested positive for marijuana metabolites for a third time in his MMA career and in September 2015 was handed a five-year ban from the sport and a US$165,000 (£120,000) fine.
That ban was appealed and reduced to an 18-month suspension, while the fine was reduced to $100,000 (£73,000).
Even so, it meant that he could not corner his younger brother, Nate, for his two blockbuster showdowns with Conor McGregor in 2016.
Diaz was last in action against Anderson Silva at UFC 183, which was later ruled a no contest
The 38-year-old tested positive for marijuana and served an 18-month suspension from MMA
Since then, Diaz has appeared some way off making a UFC return. The American has long been uncomfortable with the spotlight and has spoken about his struggles in handling media obligations and public speaking.
For UFC president Dana White, it is Diaz's fighting condition that has been the primary source of his concern, with the supremo regularly shooting down the notion of the 38-year-old setting foot in the Octagon.
'My whole thing with Nick Diaz is I just question how bad he really wants to fight,' White said earlier this year.
'We got together, we had a great conversation, talked about a possible comeback for him. I just don't know. We'll see how it plays out this summer and the rest of this year.'
Diaz's younger brother Nate has risen to fame while the 38-year-old has been sidelined
Given such a long lay off and Diaz's advancing years, White had expressed fears that the veteran does not have the hunger required to compete at the top level.
'When you hear him [Diaz] talk about fighting, you hear him talk about the sport, and
