UFC
Nate Diaz returns to action against Rafael dos Anjos in UFC on Fox 13 co-main event
Sep 23, 2014 - 4:50:15 PM Nate Diaz returns to action against Rafael dos Anjos in UFC on Fox 13 co-main event

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Nate Diaz's holdout from the UFC has ended, and he'll return with a chance to plug himself into the UFC Lightweight Championship mix when he takes on Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on Fox 13.

The UFC announced the matchup on Tuesday, which will serve as the co-main event for the card in Phoenix, Arizona.

Diaz, 29, has been sitting out this year in desire of a new contract from the UFC, but the organization hadn't been interested in renegotiating as Diaz has won just one of three fights on his current deal. That came by TKO in his last fight, where he snapped a two-fight losing streak with a first round finish of Gray Maynard.

As for dos Anjos, he hopes to stake a claim to the No. 1 contender spot after his last outing, which saw him knockout former Champ Benson Henderson in the main event of UFC Fight Night 49 last month.

UFC on Fox 13 takes place on Dec. 13, headlined by the UFC heavyweight bout between Junior dos Santos and Stipe Miocic.

Penick's Analysis: The UFC is stacking the hell out of this Fox card right now, and it's amongst the stronger events they've had on network TV yet. It's great to finally get Diaz back in the fold, and regardless of whether the UFC made any concessions or if he just finally decided to come to his senses to make things move forward, he's giving himself a chance not to be passed by at 155 lbs.