Photo by Nick Laham/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
With Nick Diaz popping a positive test for marijuana following his UFC 143 loss to Carlos Condit, there has been some questioning of how long Diaz will be suspended. Nevada has handed down two recent suspensions for marijuana and both fighters have had their licenses suspended for one year and also lost a significant percentage of their purse.
As Nate pointed out yesterday, Kevin Iole wrote about Matt Vanda, a boxer who tested positive for marijuana for the second time this past December. Vanda had popped once in New Jersey and only received a 90 day suspension and on his positive test in Nevada he got the full twelve months and lost forty percent of his purse.
On the undercard of Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III, Joel Casamayor tested positive for marijuana, his first such issue. Casamayor was fined $10,000 (ten percent of his $100,000 purse) and had his license suspended for a year.
Tim Burke: Nick Diaz Should Be Released By The UFC
Given Diaz's prior positive test there is almost no chance we see him not get the full year license suspension, which will be enforced by every other commission. Given that the commission could fine him up to 100% of his purse for the test, I have a feeling we're going to see him get at least the forty percent suffered by Vanda. Especially given his continued flaunting of his drug use and how easily he claimed he could pass any of the commission's tests.
More after the jump...
SBN coverage of UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit
Diaz will also have to stand in front of the NSAC and endure some serious heat after his suspension when he attempts to get his license reinstated. The commission has been making a bigger and bigger show of these license hearings as of late. They took boxer Victor Ortiz to task for comments made in an interview that the next time he headbutts someone he isn't going to hug them, but rather try to break their nose. This was apparently such a moment of seriousness that the commission had to have a full hearing to let him know that fouling is bad and if he fouled in his (now rescheduled) bout against Andre Berto, they'd be very upset. The same kind of drama was brought to Floyd Mayweather, Jr.'s hearing to get his license despite his recent legal troubles.
It will be interesting to see how Nick handles the, quite frankly, condescending nature of the NSAC questioning during these hearings and if he'll simply sit back and put on a smile and get through it or if he'll feel the need to respond negatively and possibly jeopardize his ability to get a license in 2013. Not to mention, as the Ortiz situation shows, the NSAC will hold you accountable for things you say in the media. So Diaz needs people advising him to not go out in public and talk about how he'll continue to smoke before fights. There is no guarantee that he gets a license if the commission feels that he is making a mockery of their process and continues flaunting his pre-fight use.
Kid Nate: Nick Diaz's UFC 143 Drug Test Failure Was Inevitable
There is also the question of how a twelve month layoff will affect Diaz. He has been on a very busy schedule, fighting seven times since the start of 2010. While his competing in triathlons will keep him in great shape and he certainly won't be leaving the gym any time soon, there is no accounting for what the actual lack of full competition for over a year will do to a fighter.
Finally, one has to wonder how serious of a position the UFC will ever put Diaz in going forward. He's already lost a title shot for failing to meet media obligations, now he popped a second positive drug test when put into a main event interim title fight. When he comes back from the suspension (assuming the UFC doesn't release him), is there a chance that Dana White and company ever see fit to put him in a position of importance again? I just don't see it.
0 recs | 110 comments
I'd be really pissed if this is a year suspension
This guy should get a freaking medal. I hope he pleads civil disobedience :D
SheepleBuster - February 10, 2012
wat
MicahtheCynic - February 10, 2012
uh
Cory Braiterman - February 10, 2012
MattParker117 - February 10, 2012
is it dark under that bridge
UncleMax - February 10, 2012
Depends upon the time of day.
But it sure is lonely.
Sabate - February 10, 2012
you make fun now but .. jus wait....
SheepleBuster - February 10, 2012
I didn't realize "Civil Disobedience" was an option
I figured it was more of an action that one takes, while “guilty” and “not guilty” are things you plead.
That’s like answering “How do you plead?” with “Hunger Strike, your honor.”
Farthammer - February 10, 2012
Mobile rec
Chris Hall - February 10, 2012 via Android app
lol yes the whole point of Civil Disobedience is that you break the law
and then face the consequences
T.P. Grant - February 10, 2012
Trust me. You'd be surprised what works in this country.
haha. Heck I might try it myself one day.
SheepleBuster - February 10, 2012
Its good to have you back sheeple. Your nonsensical arguments never fail to…well they fail at a lot of things but that’s not the point.
Chris Hall - February 10, 2012 via Android app
OK. My wording was not perfect.
All I meant was, he should say, I did it to fight the power… Did it to fight this unjust rule…
SheepleBuster - February 10, 2012
Which would mean exactly nothing.
Chris Hall - February 10, 2012 via Android app
That's what "they" want you to belive :)
SheepleBuster - February 10, 2012
IS GSP THEY?! IS THEY GSP?!
MicahtheCynic - February 10, 2012
I think I am going to shut up for a week. I can't believe
I misspelled the word “believe.” That’s just so bad … oh boy
SheepleBuster - February 10, 2012
CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR
ElliotMatheny - February 10, 2012
I rec’ed this simply so it would go green and everybody would read how stupid it is.
Empty Thoughts - February 10, 2012
it is not stupid
I was talking about giving the man the finger. Yes. I didn’t say it right. But you people are so sensitive here.
SheepleBuster - February 10, 2012
Anybody who says ‘giving the man the finger’ should just realize that most things coming out of their mouth will be stupid, including the recced post above. Sorry if you don’t like that.
Empty Thoughts - February 10, 2012
Haha.
Now I know your kind :)
SheepleBuster - February 10, 2012
does nate smoke too?
if he does, Nick must learn how to quit weed for a month from him.
what the fuck nick
DK_Monster - February 10, 2012
that's the strange part. Why doesn't this happen to Nate. hm... Strange. I am sure
he smokes too
SheepleBuster - February 10, 2012
better at beating tests
and/or not smoking before fights
Cory Braiterman - February 10, 2012
Maybe it's just me
But it seems to me that Nate is the more disciplined Diaz. Just in his approach in fights and in general, he seems much more serious about his fight career.
crazedfan - February 10, 2012
He's also a better fighter
discoandherpes - February 10, 2012
At this point...
I probably wouldn’t disagree.
crazedfan - February 10, 2012
People are obsessed with records when comparing them but
Nate can box in the center of the Octagon or push someone up against the fence. He can check leg kicks, and deal some of his own on occasion. He has some offensive wrestling and judo in the clinch.
The only real thing Nick has over him is that Nick is an amazing at creating scrambles. Nate isn’t as good, but he’s younger as well. If Nate develops that part of his game more, he easily surpasses his brother by a large margin.
discoandherpes - February 10, 2012
Diaz is in better shape than Nate.
Machiel Van - February 10, 2012
*Nick is in better shape lol
Machiel Van - February 10, 2012
I suspect it has to do with Nick's social issues.
With all the attention and pressure, I wouldn’t be surprised if Nick was smoking up more these days. Nate seems to have a better handle on things.
pud333 - February 10, 2012 via mobile
I have to imagine his days on the UFC title picture are over. Maybe some fun feature fights as the co-main or the main on smaller shows but nothing where he can do some serious damage.
Worldisart - February 10, 2012 via mobile
unofficial odds
1 year, 40% 3:2
9 months, 40% 3:1
6 months, 30% 12:1
Cory Braiterman - February 10, 2012
I don't trust the athletic commission enough to wager
crazedfan - February 10, 2012
you want to talk about bat shit crazy
watch one of their meetings. Definition of nonsensical. I expect them to go after Nick, would be surprised if he gets less than a year. Goddamn what a bummer.
cbrody111 - February 10, 2012
This can only end one way for Nick...
HOT BOX THAT HOUSE
menckenstein - February 10, 2012
O rly?
RashadsLeftNipple - February 10, 2012
No, your dumb.
Luke Nelson - February 10, 2012
Bunch of niacin could have cleaned him out the day before. Without niacin, I would have never gotten an honorable discharge :)
mburtoni - February 10, 2012 via mobile
really
Cause they can just test your hair and know when you have smoked weed, and I’m pretty sure niacin can’t change your hair
kieranski - February 10, 2012
Aloe rid.
Cleans the residual drugs out of your hair. And you can buy it at any beauty/salon supply store.
NickaG - February 10, 2012
Who says...
…you can’t learn nuthin’ off the internets?
INGO B - February 10, 2012
I actually learned this at work...
Our in house lab tech was telling me how to get past a hair screening.
NickaG - February 10, 2012
niacin doesn't help to clean your system as far as I've read/tested.
Lots of water and sports drinks to dilute, and red meat the week of the test, or a creatine supplement, as well as b vitamins to make your pee yellow work though.
Loot - February 10, 2012
niacin doesn't help to clean your system as far as I've read/tested.
Lots of water and sports drinks to dilute, and red meat the week of the test, or a creatine supplement, as well as b vitamins to make your pee yellow work though.
Loot - February 10, 2012
Send him back to Strikeforce and give him some awesome opponents who want to back into the cage ALL NIGHT LONG
Call it, DIAZFORCE
UncleMax - February 10, 2012
I know you're being a giant hater, but I'd be thrilled with this outcome...
…minus the name change.
It was extremely unlikely Nick was ever going to be UFC champ anyway. If the upshot of this is that he goes back and gives a boost to Strikeforce, and gets scheduled for some favorable bouts (Diaz-Daley 2, pls.) nobody would be happier than me.
Diaz back on Showtime is a real nice thought.
Dave Strummer - February 10, 2012
I’d prefer it if Diaz stayed in the UFC. There are many interesting match-ups for him, who is left in Strikeforce for him to face? If this suspension thing hadn’t cropped up there were so many non-GSP\Condit opponents that would have made for great fights.
I don’t hate Diaz in the least. Not sure why the “hater” thing is so easily thrown around as a reaction to a joke. Diaz seems to inspire zealot like defensive reactions.
UncleMax - February 10, 2012
I thought I remembered you taking a pretty aggressive anti-Diaz stance
in some of the earlier threads. If I’m getting confused, I apologize.
I’m not a Diaz zealot by any stretch, but I’d be really bummed if he was done with MMA. There might not be a ton of matchups at SF, but there’s at least one I’d be pretty excited about.
Dave Strummer - February 10, 2012
Well, I took a pro condit winning stance, was against people comparing Condit to Kalib Starnes, and I felt Diaz should have done a bit more in there. And yeah I was accused as a result of being a Diaz hater. If the fight had gone to Diaz I could have lived with that.
Based on the past few days comments I don’t think there’s anyway to successful state a moderate opinion leaning towards either fighter without getting accused of terrible things.
EVERYONE wants to see Diaz fight again, whether they thought Condit won or not. But I guess this is moot since a suspension is suspension, he won’t be in either Strikeforce or the UFC for a while.
UncleMax - February 10, 2012
Serious question: do they drug test at triathlons?
Ziggy325 - February 10, 2012
Olympic sport and professional sport and a amateur one
Yes they can do testing depending on which event you participate in and the type of athlete you are
kieranski - February 10, 2012
Dumbass
This isn’t his first time. And he lost the fight anyway. sooooo long
Mark Szarszewski - February 10, 2012
it absolutely should be one year.
Earl Montclair - February 10, 2012 via iPhone app
Yes.
pud333 - February 10, 2012
dont be scared of consequences homie
Gouken - February 10, 2012
are you a bot?
mollcutpurse - February 10, 2012
Please let his NSAC hearing be broadcast in some way.
Pretty please
BKdroid - February 10, 2012
Just so I understand...
He will most likely be suspended for a year and fined at least $80,000 for smoking a harmless flower of a plant that has zero ill effects and doesn’t give him any advantage in the cage? Sounds like perfect logic in the United States…
Josh Schmidt - February 10, 2012
right, crazy US bullshit. It’s not like WADA would do the same thing or ban people for taking drugs to regrow your hair or anything like that.
Phildo - February 10, 2012
A+ for comprehension
those are called “Rules and Regulations” and, in this instance, are mandated and enforced by something called the “Nevada State Athletic Commission”
and F- for “zero ill effects”
Gouken - February 10, 2012
he has his medical card in cali so yes it is political bs. btw get out of the stone ages if you think it has massive negative effects.
the jewish conquistador - February 10, 2012
the medical card is irrelevant. Other fighters have been suspended/pulled from fights for having over the counter or other drugs with a prescription in their system, weed is special.
Phildo - February 10, 2012
look at the laws for weed in Nevada and California and you can honestly tell me politics has no play in it?
the jewish conquistador - February 11, 2012
i didn’t say politics had nothing to do with it, i said the card does. You realize his magical card from the great state of california doesn’t allow him to have weed in his system there either?
You can be allowed to use a drug in real life and not allowed to use it at your job.
Phildo - February 11, 2012
And you don’t see how that is political? Pick up a book or three and go read why marijuana was given prohibition status in the first place. Then read about how it was so close to being legalized on a federal level in the 1970s. Then read about people like Marc Emery and the absolute bullshit coffee shops in Holland have to go through to get their product. Yes I realize I have named at least 3 countries on at least 3 different continents if you follow the route their supplies takes.
Correct me if I am wrong but in California the AC is controlled by the state government and not all of California loves their medical cards. Look at what the DA did San Diego a few years ago (yes I know some of the shops were not operating as a ‘non profit’ but some were and that was legal under their laws). If you do not see a double standard completely based in politics I feel sorry for you and hope you are not a registered voter.
the jewish conquistador - February 11, 2012
He should be vindicated like Ross Reblagiati!
FightingFighting - February 10, 2012
I just posted a link to Ross's wiki
If I remember correct, he used “the second-hand weed smoke got in my lungs” defense. And apparently “the decision was overturned, largely on the basis that marijuana was not on the list of (IOC) banned substances.”
How it is that the most backward and corrupt sporting organization in the world doesn’t list weed as a banned substance (since 1996) is beyond me. But there it is.
medium seen - February 10, 2012
it’s been on their list since 2004
Phildo - February 10, 2012
it’s logical to punish someone for breaking a rule.
it is logical to disagree with a rule.
it is not logical to not understand punishing a violation of the rules.
arkabee - February 10, 2012
The rules are the rules
Just cause you don’t agree with the rules doesnt mean you can ignore them. I dont agree with the ban with 12 to 6 elbows but fighter just cant start using them. If he wants to smoke then dont compete. I dont agree with the speed limit but i expect to get a ticket if I’m caught speeding.
Mark Szarszewski - February 10, 2012
ughh people domt understand
I’m pro-marijuana I been to Amsterdam for the cup twice. But the fact is its against nsac rules. Whether marijuana is harmless or not or if it should be legalized is not the argument here. The argument here is he broke the rules whether it’s a good rule or not. This is his 2nd offence its just like any other job you take a piss test for. You break the rules you face the consequences why should he get a free pass. As I stated its a bs rule but it is the rule.
Bloodsport - February 10, 2012 via mobile
why bother with a hearing?
I would be seriously, seriously surprised if he bothered going through a bunch of bullshit to get reinstated if they suspend him for a whole year. especially for something this stupid.
and yes, before anyone alerts me to the facts, I am aware that he broke the rules. but this rule is pretty stupid and/or poorly articulated in my opinion. Luke covered the problems with urinalysis & marijuana in his recent post on mmafighting.
mollcutpurse - February 10, 2012
diaz is such an immature litte kid.he knows it's forbidden to smoke that weed prior his fight and he still did it. Now he's gonna pay for his immaturity.
Rampage01 - February 10, 2012
I hope he gets fined At Least 40% of his purse (considering how over paid he was compared to others on the card) and gets suspended for a year or more since nothing so far has taught him to follow the rules
williambonney - February 10, 2012
luckily Diaz is retired so this suspension does not affect him at all. Cant suspend a guy whos already retired suckers!
terzergoss - February 10, 2012
your so wrong lol
he can definitely be suspended meaning he cant fight as the other commissions wont give him a license if he decides to fight elsewhere (which he cant do either way as he is under UFC contract). Plus they can still take away as much of his purse as they want to.
benten20 - February 10, 2012
Nick Diaz doesnt care about money, he can teach BJJ to get his weed cash. Nick Diaz doesnt care about MMA, hed rather do triatholons. Nick Diaz dont give a F*CK!
terzergoss - February 10, 2012
Nick Diaz doesn't care about money?
Than what’s with the rants about wanting to get paid?
Worldisart - February 10, 2012
Those rants were about being respected as an elite fighter, and now that he feels he cant ever win in MMA, hes retired from MMA period, so suspension is useless for him
terzergoss - February 10, 2012
im trying to figure out if your a troll or not
benten20 - February 10, 2012
Who am i trolling? ive just pointed out that Diaz has been suspended a year in a sport that he says hes retired from and diaz doesnt give a f*ck.
terzergoss - February 10, 2012
diaz didnt even have a reaction nor have they actually handed down a sentence yet
benten20 - February 10, 2012
Lol, sure you can
Never heard of Manny Ramirez, I suppose.
crazedfan - February 10, 2012
This will be a forced timeout, in any case.
I’m glad. This shit is driving Diaz to act even nutter than usual.
Unabomberman - February 10, 2012
Maybe the suspension affects Nate (and others), too
Nick might not be able to be in Nate’s corner for a fight in Nevada, or even visit him before the fight.
NAC 467.895 provides, in part:
3. A person whose license has been suspended or revoked is barred from:
(a) The dressing rooms at the premises where any program of unarmed combat is being held;
(b) Occupying any seat within six rows of the ring platform or, if the program is being held in a fenced area, within six rows of the platform of the fenced area;
© Approaching within six rows of seats from the ring platform or, if the program is being held in a fenced area, within six rows of seats of the platform of the fenced area; and
(d) Communicating in the arena or near the dressing rooms with any of the principals in the contests or exhibitions, their managers, their seconds or the referee, whether directly or by a messenger, during any program of unarmed combat.
Also, kind of murky but maybe relevant to other fighters who normally train with Nick:
( . Y . ) - February 10, 2012
Nate is gonna do something crazy when hes headlining UFC on fox show i cant wait!
terzergoss - February 10, 2012
D-U-M-B
I’m not talking about Diaz smoking weed, but that he’s in trouble for smoking it!!! What is wrong with people? It’s ok to drink your ass off—-which by now, any intelligent person knows alcohol is freaking POISEN!!! Yet in the USA you can’t smoke pot. This all about politics and not about science.
Here’s a guy who runs triathlons, and he’s getting screwed because he hit a joint and not a beer?
Blah blah blah blah Diaz knows the rules….doesn’t change the fact that the USA is run by dumb people.
Ragnar808 - February 10, 2012
welcome to ’merica
T.P. Grant - February 10, 2012
yup, blame the usa for a wada rule. And we’re the dumb people.
Phildo - February 10, 2012
...
WADA considers marijuana against the rules because the USA made it against the rules. So yea, you can blame the the U.S. government for this WADA rule. Fighter’s don’t get suspended for failing an alcohol test do they?
Benny Blanco from the BriX - February 10, 2012
Yup, the US banned weed 100 years ago so WADA, an international organization put it on the list in 2004, all because of big old dumb usa.
Phildo - February 10, 2012
God damn it. Nick.
Nick Fucking Diaz.
Lauren J Darkbloom - February 10, 2012
It is too late to pull a Ross Rebagliati?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Rebagliati
He managed to get a gold medal back and become somewhat of a celebrity in Canada.
medium seen - February 10, 2012
he got his gold medal back because marijuana wasn’t on the list at the time. Marijuana is on the list this time, and nick diaz is well aware of that fact.
Phildo - February 10, 2012
Yes. And Ross is also an asshat.
Major differences.
pud333 - February 10, 2012
A question about suspensions
Say Diaz is suspended 6 months. Can he be in fight shape, as in have a camp, and schedule a fight so that he can fight within a month of his suspension being up? Or does he have to wait until the 6-month window, and THEN find an opponent, schedule the fights, etc… I have a feeling it’s the latter since I can’t see it being legal to schedule anything when you’re still on the shelf.
Erasedhead - February 10, 2012
I don't think the ufc is allowed to even schedule a fight before the suspension has ended.
Chris Hall - February 10, 2012 via Android app
That's what I figured
Kind of like tampering or disobeying a suspension. Thanks.
Erasedhead - February 10, 2012
Pretty much
Although the ufc could probably have something unofficial waiting for his return to get him going as quick as possible. I have no idea what kind of precedent there is for that.
Chris Hall - February 10, 2012 via Android app
I’ve had enough of this shit
Bolshevik - February 10, 2012
why the fuck do I even get out of bed
Bolshevik - February 10, 2012
Blehg
Can someone delete this post? I’m really upset about something! Then I logged on to try to forget about it and my favorite fighter is suspended.
Bolshevik - February 10, 2012
No matter wut
Diaz will still be one of, if not my favorite fighter(s)
JonBon Joey - February 10, 2012
A year stolen from the prime of one of the most unique talents in MMA because some old farts on a commision table don’t like a guy smoking medically licensed cannabis. Wouldn’t be surprised if Cyborg gets her PED riddled arse in a cage again before Diaz. What a fucking travesty.
sheikybaby - February 10, 2012
Nick Diaz is not a victim here.
Chris Hall - February 10, 2012 via Android app
And he’s finally in the UFC, where he could fight the other top guys in the division. Forget about the compelling rematch with Condit, we’re going to miss out on another two Nick Diaz quasi-dream fights.
Bolshevik - February 10, 2012
OFF TOPIC but
Is anyone’s elses “Recent Posts” sidebar showing old posts? Mine’s showing links to Chuck’s Super Bowl ad and Dana White calling out Anonymous.
VenusBlue - February 10, 2012
They should ban smokers as well. Since it’s also a plant you can smoke.
IHateMMA - February 11, 2012
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