Dana White stuns fans after announcing UFC legend is making shock return after three years away

Dana White has confirmed a UFC legend is RETURNING to the promotion after almost three years away from the sport in a stunning announcement.

White took to social media to reveal the main-card for UFC's upcoming fight night event in Abu Dhabi.

The Middle East show is set for August 3 at the Etihad Arena.

A No.1 bantamweight contender clash between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov will headline the stacked card while a UFC icon will return to action. Check it out below:

In the co-main event, Nick Diaz meets Vicente Luque in a massive welterweight five-round showdown.

Diaz, 40, hasn't fought since his defeat to Robbie Lawler at UFC 266 back in September 2021.

But the fan favourite will make his shock comeback this summer when he takes on No.14 ranked Luque.

Another 170lbs fight will open the main-card as Tony Ferguson faces Michael Chiesa.

Elsewhere on the card, Deiveson Figueiredo takes on Marlon 'Chito' Vera and Mackenzie Dern battles Loopy Godinez.

Nick Diaz in action against Robbie Lawler. Image: Getty

As for Diaz, he hasn't won a fight inside the famed Octagon since October 2011 when he outpointed fellow great BJ Penn.

Since his victory at UFC 137, he's suffered defeats to Carlos Condit and Georges St-Pierre. He fought Anderson Silva, which ended up being a no-contest and lost to Lawler in his last outing.

Diaz, older brother to Nate, beat the likes of Lawler and Gleison Tibau in his first UFC stint before walking away from the company.

He competed under banners Elite XC, Dream and Strikeforce, where he won the promotion's welterweight title.

Away from the UFC, he claimed big victories over the likes of Frank Shamrock, Scott Smith, K.J Noons and Paul Daley before returning to the MMA leaders.