Nick Diaz news features Ben Askren's challenge to fight the elder Diaz brother. "Funky" also criticized the former UFC welterweight contender for his marijuana use, adding that he can take him down and dominate him with ease.

MMA Mania reported the Nick Diaz news, through Ben Askren's statements in his appearance in the MMA Roasted podcast.

"Diaz, man he ain't even fighting no more, why would I talk about me against someone who's retired?" Askren said of the Nick Diaz news.

Nick Diaz announced his retirement from mixed martial arts competition in March 2013, after losing his title fight against Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158, stating that he is "tired of being banged up."

But months since his announcing his retirement, the 30-year old Stockton, California native has been making appearances in various UFC and has not totally shut off his involvements with his former company.

Most recently, Nick Diaz expressed his desire to face former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, once "The Spider" does make his promised return to action early next year, but it does come with a price.

"I'm not considering even for a second fighting any of those guys for less than $500,000," Diaz said in an interview with The MMA Hour early this month. "There's no way."

While the aforementioned match-up has yet to materialize to becoming a mere possibility, Ben Askren placed himself in the picture by attacking Nick Diaz for his marijuana use. "Funky" also went on to compare the former UFC welterweight to a "wet paper bag."

'Well, if Nick Diaz can stay off the pipe, maybe I'll fight him," Askren continued about the Nick Diaz news. "He's like taking down a wet paper bag. I don't think I'd have much trouble."

Nick Diaz, who usually initiates the war of words, has been silent so far about the matter. Ben Askren, on the other hand, has not relented.

"He'd probably be flipping me off and s***, but I'll just smile at him," Askren added.