Nick Diaz: Record, KOs, height and everything you need to know as he prepares to face Robbie Lawler at UFC 266

One of the UFC's most beloved characters returns to action this weekend as Nick Diaz makes his first Octagon walk for more than six years at UFC 266.

The elder sibling to fellow cult hero Nate Diaz, Nick is a former welterweight champion in the Strikeforce, WEC and IFC promotions and a two-time 170lb title challenger in the UFC.

Diaz had been a stalwart of the MMA circuit throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, regularly fighting two or three times a year.

However, the Stockton native frequently fell foul of competition rules regarding the use of banned substances, specficially marijuana.

A positive test for marijuana metabolites in the aftermath of his 2015 scrap against Anderson Silva at UFC 183, the third of his career, saw Diaz served with a lengthy five-year ban which was later reduced to 18 months on appeal.

Sidelined since that fight with Silva, the elusive Diaz spent time away from the sport developing his own CBD business in partnership with his brother Nate - but the 38-year-old also had well documented run-ins with USADA and the Las Vegas Police Department, which have since both been resolved.

Now back and hungry to emulate Nate's success on his return to the UFC, fight fans are buzzing to see the enigmatic warrior back on the biggest stage of all.

Nick Diaz: Record

Nick Diaz's record stands at 26 wins, 9 losses and 2 no contests.

He made his professional debut fighting on a regional MMA promotion by the name of IFC Warriors in 2001, winning their version of the welterweight title in just his second fight.

In his eighth fight, he defeated Joe Hurley for the inagural WEC welterweight title.

But the most successful period of his career came during his Strikeforce days, where Diaz won the inaugural 170lb belt against Marius Zaromskis in 2010, defending the strap three times before vacating to return to the UFC after beating Paul Daley in 2011.

He has twice challenged for UFC welterweight gold, coming up ashort against Carlos Condit for the interim strap at UFC 143 before being defeated by newly-annointed Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158 for the undisputed title.

Nick Diaz: Knockouts

The Diaz brothers have forged a reputation for themselves as two of the most violent men in mixed martial arts and Nick Diaz has certainly proven himself a fine practitioner of the finish over the years.

Despite his strengths leaning more towards the ground as a 3rd degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under the revered Cesar Gracie, Diaz has heavy hands with 13 stoppages on his ledger.

He has knockout wins over UFC 266 opponent Robbie Lawler, Britain's Paul Daley and former UFC champ Frank Shamrock.

Nick Diaz: Height

The 38-year-old is listed at 6'1" with a 76" reach.

Nick Diaz: Weight

Most of Diaz's career contest have come at his favoured 170lb welterweight limit.

However, this weekend's five-round contest against Robbie Lawler will take place at middleweight after a last-minute change agreed between the two fighters.