Click:

One of the top draws in MMA is returning at May’s UFC 262 in another first-ever circumstance as Nate Diaz will face Leon Edwards in the organization’s first-ever five round, non-title co-main event.

This will be the 35-year-old’s first fight since losing to Jorge Masvidal for the ceremonial BMF belt at UFC 244 in November 2019. Before that, he had defeated Anthony Pettis at August 2019’s UFC 241 — his first fight in three years.

After nearly 18 months off due to the pandemic and having COVID-19, Edwards returned to action against Belal Muhammad this month as his original opponent (Khamzat Chimaev) fell through for a third time. An Edwards eye poke ended the fight in the second round in a disappointing no contest. Edwards hasn’t tasted defeat in nine straight fights dating back to May 2016.

UFC 262 is headlined by Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title. It’s scheduled for the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, with no limitations on attendance and tickets going on sale Wednesday afternoon. Next month’s UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Florida, is being held under similar conditions and sold out in minutes last week.