UFC 263 live blog: Leon Edwards vs. Nate Diaz

This is the UFC 263 live blog for Leon Edwards vs. Nate Diaz, a welterweight main card bout for Saturday’s fight card at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz.

Edwards returns three months after his long-awaited return ended in controversy. The British welterweight’s bout against Belal Muhammad, a short-notice replacement for Khamzat Chimaev, was called off in the second round after he landed an accidental eyepoke that ruled out Muhammaed. The unfortunate end came after a litany of withdrawals and cancellations – courtesy of the coronavirus pandemic – that led to a 20-month layoff. Prior to that, Edwards put himself on the short list for a title shot with eight straight wins including one over ex-lightweight champ Rafael Dos Anjos.

Diaz, meanwhile, returns from another extended layoff. He most recently fought in November 2019 at UFC 244, when a cut he sustained prompted the ringside doctor to call off a fight for the “BMF” title against Jorge Masvidal. A rematch never materialized, and the star from Stockton, Calif., focused on other ventures before a matchup with Edwards caught his eye. Since a loss to now-former lightweight champ Benson Henderson, Diaz is 4-4 in the octagon.

Check out the UFC 263 live blog.