Nick Diaz shows his disappointment with his loss at UFC 143 on Feb. 4, 2012 in Las Vegas. Photo by esther Lin for MMA Fighting.
Earlier today, Keith Kizer of the Nevada State Athletic Commission announced that Nick Diaz tested positive for marijuana after his UFC 143 fight with Carlos Condit.
It's been a turbulent few days for Diaz. After losing a close and controversial decision to Condit in the main event of UFC 143, a frustrated Diaz announced his retirement from MMA. Yesterday, word leaked of the UFC's plans for a Condit vs. Diaz rematch as Condit's first defense of the UFC Interim Welterweight Title, but those plans were immediately called into question at the same time that Kizer announced one fighter had failed a drug test. Many assumed it was Diaz, and those suspicions were proved to be correct.
Now, the UFC has issued a statement from Dana White, and it is short and clear:
I am beyond disappointed that he tested positive for marijuana. It is now in the hands of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
This is not the first time Diaz has tested positive for marijuana. After his 2007 defeat of Takanori Gomi in one of the final Pride shows, Diaz also failed a drug test, resulting in that victory being overturned into a No Contest. This is also the second time in his recent UFC tenure that Diaz has caused the company massive headaches. His failure to show up for press conferences in the lead-up to UFC 137 caused them to pull him from the planned Diaz vs. GSP main event, and now this news will surely derail any plans for Condit vs. Diaz 2 happening anytime soon.
For more on this story, check out all our Bloody Elbow coverage:
0 recs | 126 comments
He is disappointed
Which means he is not angry, which means he won’t get cut.
IRodC - February 9, 2012
He would have been angry if Diaz had won.
Jeteyes - February 9, 2012
no kidding
Thank you, judges, for being right for once.
Cory Braiterman - February 9, 2012
"right" is a relative term
most people who offer scores have 48-47 Diaz
Kevin Jennison J. Zametov-St Pierre - February 9, 2012
Who is most people? BloodyElbow, MMAWeekly, Sherdog, FightMetric, CompuStrike, and most importantly, the judges had the fight for Condit. I wish people would stop pulling “facts” from their brains.
andrew861 - February 9, 2012
Well, not like it matters anyway. Even if he were gifted the decision, the fight would’ve been overturned and he would’ve been stripped of the title. And then we’d have a clusterfuck on a whole different level.
andrew861 - February 9, 2012
Logged in to rec.
“Most people [who are rabid Diaz fanboys] who offer scores have 48-47 Diaz”? Idk. Funny how we all see different things depending on what we want to see.
thirdparty - February 10, 2012
disappointed but probably not surprised
he is not worth the hassle anymore. he will most likely get popped again
Clay Davis - February 9, 2012 via Android app
i'm not sure how much of a hassle this is.
the fight still happened, and he lost. it doesn’t leave the UFC in a bad situation, much like the sonnen loss to silva didn’t leave them in a compromising position. is diaz mega-annoying to dana? sure. so is chael. but he didn’t pimp them. he pimped his self.
tha dude - February 9, 2012
when you dis Dre
you dis YOURSELF
know this
glib_mf - February 9, 2012
Would have a ton more respect for Dana
had he just stared down the reporter who took this quote and siad: “Don’t be scare, Homie!!!”
@KatanaClothing - February 10, 2012
also
It would be awesome if Dana simply dead-eye stared down ALL reporter questions, squinted, and then squatted and took a massive gorilla shit on the stage. After nodding to the gathered crowd, he would nod knowingly, then walk off like a boss. No actual quotes to the media would be provided, other than his primordial grunting (during the aforementioned gorilla shit).
It’s TIME, folks! Sweet baby Jesu, it’s time …
glib_mf - February 12, 2012
Thats a pretty mild statement for Dana
No sanctions will come from the UFC, I guess its for the best
Broseidon - February 9, 2012
Damn I expected a strong reaction, maybe he knows the sentence will only be a couple months
menckenstein - February 9, 2012
Repeat offender, it'll be more than just a couple of months.
KJ Gould - February 9, 2012
Unfortunately Nick took a shit on the plans of a rematch even though Condit accepted..I honestly no longer have any faith in him, nor do I think he gives a damn about any of his fans or the sport itself. When he comes back I hope they make him fight only wrestleboxers until he gathers enough losses to get cut.
savik - February 9, 2012
Diaz vs Fitch, please
ihateemo - February 9, 2012 via mobile
now that's punishment
Cory Braiterman - February 9, 2012
i take that back
here’s a punishment: make him watch all of fitch’s wins on loop. Hell on earth, 15 minutes at a time
Cory Braiterman - February 9, 2012
Nick beats Fitch.
Bet money.
RolloTomasi - February 9, 2012
I’ll take that bet
savik - February 9, 2012
yes please
what odds?
Cory Braiterman - February 9, 2012
No odds
straight up
20 bucks
if it ever happens of course.
RolloTomasi - February 9, 2012
even odds?
sold. I was afraid I’d have to give points on this.
Cory Braiterman - February 9, 2012
I don't do that points stuff
(mainly cuz I don’t understand it)
RolloTomasi - February 9, 2012
you should learn friend, he was going to put up more than 20 bucks to win 20 from you.
Phildo - February 10, 2012
I was totally certain for the longest time that Fitch would beat Diaz
Now it’s a fight I want to see.
SSreporters - February 9, 2012
I'm with you
I think Fitch has a lot more trouble with Diaz than many expect
Chris Hall - February 9, 2012
Diaz wouldn't KTFO him
And although Fitch would take him down often Diaz’s grappling would finally force Fitch to work to get into a dominant position instead of take a brief nap.
SSreporters - February 9, 2012
Diaz vs Fitch, Kos, Ellenberger, Rory Mac, and Hendricks
savik - February 9, 2012
All at once.
Jeteyes - February 9, 2012
on roller skates.
in a hockey rink.
with Vern Troyer sitting on his shoulders.
Victor Rodriguez - February 9, 2012
blindfolded with Cain Velasquez playing mariachi music and Anderson Silva doing a samba
Andy Anderson - February 9, 2012
Upside down.
While whistling Sublime.
And eating 27 saltines in under a minute.
Without the use of a net.
Jeteyes - February 9, 2012
So from this we infer
No cut or penalty above and beyond what the NSAC levels on him. See you in at least 9 months, Nick
Cory Braiterman - February 9, 2012
What a goddamn idiot.
ihateemo - February 9, 2012 via mobile
omg, busted for what PED? pot? hahaahahaah
my god this is retarded… i mean come on, the way it s going pot would be legal in less than 50 years…when was alcohol prohibited in the US? i dont smoke, but everybody knows how stupid it is to get suspended for pot! pfff lame
alibabarouge - February 9, 2012 via mobile
Drug tests can be failed for all sorts of legal prescription drugs. The issue isn’t the legality, it’s that he couldn’t piss clean.
ihateemo - February 9, 2012 via mobile
My boss was telling me that in the 1950s him and his friends would say.....
“mark my words, pot will definitely be legal in the next five years the way things are going”
Brandon Starr - February 9, 2012
Your boss
sounds old.
:P
TorQus - February 9, 2012
well now i’m interested in hearing what he thinks now…
Victor Rodriguez - February 9, 2012
He's a lawyer and also works for the senate. His opinion now is that there will always be something blocking it from full legalization.
Brandon Starr - February 9, 2012
Kid Nate?
AusEagle - February 9, 2012
He's mentioned that.
But feels that once Nate dies there will be other bureaucratic nonsense that stops it.
Brandon Starr - February 9, 2012
hmm i understand, that pot is consider as a " bridge" to harder drugs… but… in sports?? when u know how hard those guys workout! have u ever finished a triathlon? i d be glad to do half … another thing is that u dont need to be Freud to see see that poor Nick as big emotive issues, high anxiety, he can t talk with the press, try to avoid press conferences, he is so nervous that he cant have a normal interaction with any fighter he is going to fight… we ask to much from our athletes, ok, some have higher intellect, but some dont… the diaz should be respected for their art. they are great fighters and that s why i respect those guys, like we all should if we dare to look at ourself in the mirror
alibabarouge - February 10, 2012 via mobile
Will the fight be ruled a no contest?
Or would that only happen had Nick won?
It would be interesting if there had to be another interim belt fight.
MMA_Messiah - February 9, 2012
Still a win
ihateemo - February 9, 2012 via mobile
why would you take away a win from someone if their opponent screwed up?
Phildo - February 10, 2012
Nick Diaz title shot rematch...
Revolver Ocelot - February 9, 2012
a tad much
Cory Braiterman - February 9, 2012
Perfect.
andrew861 - February 9, 2012
goes well with your SN
The Lethal Haze - February 9, 2012
Didn't Stop Chael
Until guys like Leben get cut i am not worried about Nick and weed. Those guys used performance enhancers and because Diaz is an all around jerk we get on him for weed like he cheated MMA or hit a female in the streets. Dude is unbalanced and needs weed to cope, there are a lot of people like that.
Roman727 - February 10, 2012
..
darkotto23 - February 9, 2012
This is really disappointing.
But let’s remember that Nick Diaz is just being Nick Diaz. And we love Nick Diaz. So I look forward to Diaz vs. GSP in about a year’s time, when he comes back from this ban. Don’t forget Diaz had already earned his shot a GSP before his win over BJ Penn and loss to Condit. So he has every right to claim what is rightfully his, when he comes back.
Bill P. - February 9, 2012
Ummmmm....no. He lost AND tested positive for a banned substance since then so that kind of negates his "rightful" shot at GSP.
Brandon Starr - February 9, 2012
Thank you
I logged on just to say the exact same thing.
sitnam90 - February 9, 2012
Seems to have worked out fine for Chael
TheFilt - February 9, 2012
After Chael got his wrist slap
then had two fights in between.
I’d be down with Diaz serving his time, fighting a couple times then getting another title shot if he’s winning
Dootch - February 9, 2012
If Anderson wasn't hurt
The fight would have already happened.
Chael chose not to wait around IIRC.
TheFilt - February 9, 2012
He was suspended
and that cancelled the fight. They shortened the suspension, then the money laundering thing affected him, and it basically, combined, became a nine month suspension, and he was off for a year anyway.
Plus Dana seemed to have a different attitude about Chaels issue then Nicks, for sure.
Dootch - February 9, 2012
I think he would have gotten the shot following the Stann win
Which was extremely impressive.
Dana’s only issue is making money. When Nick comes back(if he chooses to), he’ll be right back “in the mix”.
This is a division that saw Dan Hardy fight for title and Paul Daley one win away.
TheFilt - February 9, 2012
Not to talk down on the WW division
Its a deep, tough division. It just works out like that sometimes.
TheFilt - February 9, 2012
Yeah
As far as position in the division is concerned, he won’t really be affected. The drug test failure will be largely ignored upon his return.
Chris Hall - February 9, 2012
Ironically
His stock is going up among fans and he is even more hated by anti-fans(?).
Even Ben Fowlkes says he only likes Diaz more now. He is the magic man right now. Shame he can’t fight…
TheFilt - February 9, 2012
The difference is
Chael is the legitimate number 1 contender in the Middleweight division, in that he came back from suspension, ran through Stann and then got past Bisping.
Apart from Munoz who’s injured he’s the only contender who hasn’t been owned by Silva and seems to have a decent chance of winning the rematch.
Welterweight is a whole different story, in that it has a whole bunch of up and comers who could potentially put up a good fight for both the Champ. Apart from being a loudmouth and the Strikeforce champ, in a year’s time is Diaz really going to have a better argument for a shot then Ellenberger, Hendricks, Rory Macdonald or even Fitch if they win a couple in that time? And if he does fight them (like Chael had too), would he get past a couple of those guys?
I think that Diaz got two good style match-ups in the lead up to this almost title shot and still managed to ensure he won’t ever get one. BJ Penn lacks the gas tank and motivation to hang with Diaz’s style and Condit isn’t one of the divisions many wrestle-boxers which I think are the worst match up for Diaz.
Seriously best case scenario for Diaz is he comes back in a year and Dana likes him enough to give him a Condit rematch and then maybe another good style match up so they can finally make Diaz/GSP happen.
Detective Squirts - February 9, 2012
This is an incredibly likely scenario
TheFilt - February 9, 2012
What? Retroactive title shots? Coming off a loss and a suspension?
Riiiiiiight.
Sweet Scientist - February 9, 2012
it would make sense if it was for the Strikeforce belt
The Lethal Haze - February 9, 2012
One impressive win
That’s all it takes for a guy people want to see.
Especially when he’s coming off a close decision to the (interim)champ following an 11 fight win streak.
TheFilt - February 9, 2012
hey man, I'm a Diaz fan
Love the guy. Feel sorry for his current woes. I also don’t care if he fights for the title or not- I just want to see him fight. If he fights for the belt, I guess that’s cool, but as long as he’s fighting 5 round fights I don’t care.
The Lethal Haze - February 9, 2012
I'm just saying
He’ll be back, right where he left off.
TheFilt - February 9, 2012
No, not all of us love Nick being Nick.
When (if) he comes back, he will be back of the line.
Empty Thoughts - February 9, 2012
Hushh - February 9, 2012
rofl @ this
I asked Keith Kizer, the Executive Director of the Nevada Athletic Commission, about athletes who use marijuana for medical reasons. I asked how this factors in with testing and/or punishment. This was his reply…
lmao.
Cory Braiterman - February 9, 2012
Interesting. Its joke anyway the fact the weed and other drugs which only hurt performance are banned.
Kefka - February 9, 2012
Weed hurting your performance is really, really debatable.
James Brady - February 9, 2012
Weed is used as a pain suppressant in some treatments.
doomrider7 - February 9, 2012
yes it is.
and anybody that says it alleviates pain is lying to you and to the government. it’s just an excuse to get high. trust me. i have my card.
tha dude - February 9, 2012
Yeah, you are a moron.
There are plenty of people like you who have their card and use cannabis recreationally, I have no problem with that at all. There are also just as many who do use it therapeutically, and I know numerous cancer patients who DO use it to kill pain and stimulate their appetite. My problem is with people like you who perpetuate the stereotype that “it’s just for getting high, man.” That’s utter bullshit and it’s because of people like you that it stays illegal for the most part.
Ak.Death - February 9, 2012
i appreciate the name calling.
sure, it stimulates the appetite. but it sure as hell doesn’t kill the pain of the chronic arthrits that i have in my left elbow. like i said, anybody that says any different is lying. and since i have my card, i’m not sure how illegal you think it is where i live.
you keep fightin’ the good fight. and work on your reading comprehension. have an amazing day.
tha dude - February 9, 2012
You seem unaware of the fact that pharmacological agents don’t have the same effect on everybody. In fact, they can often have one effect on one person and the opposite effect on another. Your experience with MJ doesn’t make people who have a different experience liars.
Jahbulon - February 9, 2012
I apologize for calling you a moron, that was uncalled for.
I still strongly disagree with you, especially with the statement “anybody that says any different is lying.” So because you don’t get any pain relief nobody else does? Utter BS. You know there are different ways to ingest it than smoking, yeah? Tinctures and salves absolutely help with pain, I’ve seen way too much evidence to support this. I live in Colorado where it is legal (as per doctor prescription) and I’ve heard about and seen first hand so many people benefit from the plant. I take issue with your vague statements saying that is only good for getting high.
Also I think my reading comprehension is just fine, I understood your haphazadly thrown together sentence.
Ak.Death - February 9, 2012
no worries.
tha dude - February 9, 2012
Your reaction time is slow when high, that will greatly hurt your performance.
Kefka - February 9, 2012
except you're wrong
People with acute debilitating pain get great relief from getting high. I’m sure a vast majority of people with the cards are using an excuse to get high but people do medically benefit from, myself included.
merryprankster - February 9, 2012
no, i'm not.
tha dude - February 9, 2012
Weed is seen as a panacea in some community’s, its curative powers are a bit exaggerated I think, but that does mean some people don’t get relief from pain and other aliments while smoking weed.
Kefka - February 9, 2012
Please identify the scientific studies that show it is an effective pain killer. Just because someone “gets relief” from weed doesn’t mean it actually kills pain. Get high and pull your nose hairs out, then tell me if it is a pain killer.
Bakuto - February 9, 2012
Have you been spying on me?
RolloTomasi - February 9, 2012
I like pulling my nose hairs out.. it’s a great activity
Horselover Fat - February 9, 2012
It hurts so good.
RolloTomasi - February 9, 2012
Yeah. And I have a lot of them, pretty hairy nose. So sometimes when I’m in front of them computer I’ll just start yanking them out. The key is to not pinch more than one at a time, because you’ll usually fail if you try too many in one pull.
Horselover Fat - February 9, 2012
I was high the other day, and saw a nose hair creepin’ out my nose. I yanked it out and thereby concluded it to be the most painful experience a human being can endure.
IanParedes - February 9, 2012
i'm sure weed is not helping anyones performace
the fact it can take almost a month to get out your system. means diaz could have smoked weeks ago and it just didn’t get out his system yet. he didn’t even think tiwce about it. also weed as a pain suppressant from what i have seen works when you injest the weed not smoke it. hence the lines of weed based food products
BIGNAT - February 9, 2012
This is my Diaz impression:
If they wanted an exception why didn’t they drive to my house and hand me the pre-filled out form and a pen so I could sign it? This is such bullshit and completely everyone else’s fault. Everyone’s out to get me, homie!
Jeteyes - February 9, 2012
I just farted from trying to stifle my laughter
menckenstein - February 9, 2012
Requests can be denied
I have a feeling his may have been had he even bothered to file a request
Ricardo Arguello - February 9, 2012
the whining about pot being banned and nick needing it would be a lot stronger if they actually denied it instead of having everyone share their feelings on the topic.
Phildo - February 10, 2012
Whatever
What a bullshit statement. He knew Diaz was smoking weed leading up to the fight just as everybody else. Everyone is using PED’s too but have mastered cycling. He’s disappointed he didn’t cheat the test, not that he’s smoking weed.
Democritus - February 9, 2012
Yeah, that’s why Dana said he’s beyond disappointed that he tested positive. Not that he’s smoking it.
James Brady - February 9, 2012
Ahaha .. come on now. With how easy this is to get out of your system .. how the hell do you fail?
James Brady - February 9, 2012
If you smoke regularly
doesn’t it stay in your system for about 3 weeks?
Obviously he would have flushed or cleansed his system. But without doing that it ain’t always that easy and “flushing” doesn’t always work.
TorQus - February 9, 2012
it can stay up to a month if you smoke on the regular
BIGNAT - February 9, 2012
Didn't Joe Rogan
say on one of his Podcasts that Nick was smoking weed during one of the conference calls in the week leading up to his title shot?
Please, correct me if I’m wrong.
TorQus - February 9, 2012
he was, and it sounds like it was was one of the funniest YouTube videos never seen.
“i ain’t no bitch”
IanParedes - February 9, 2012
UFC Primetime Producer (BJPenn.com)
MattParker117 - February 9, 2012
Sad
Empty Thoughts - February 9, 2012
I don't think so.
I think it’s good for someone to really live and love their craft.
ElliotMatheny - February 10, 2012
C’mon, Nick.
C’mon.
les rallizes denudes - February 9, 2012
Diaz ain't goin nowhere
Too big of a star, too good of a fighter. Lil disappointment, lil suspension. No problem.
Kid Kimura - February 9, 2012
It will a surprise if he fights before the next superbowl though
MattParker117 - February 9, 2012
Not a huge star, and not going to be allowed to fight for another year. So he is kinda going somewhere, and that’s far from the eyes of fans and not facing any competition for a long time.
Hardcharger - February 9, 2012 via mobile
dont be anxious homie
Gouken - February 9, 2012
ufc WW div is my most hated atm.....
gotta find happiness elsewhere, frankie and bendo i am looking at you!
carmine99 - February 9, 2012
The division is in a really weird limbo right now.
GSP and Nick are out, Kos doesn’t look stellar, Fitch and Alves losing to up and comers. Really weird, many of the old guard are out of action or losing.
sitnam90 - February 9, 2012 via mobile
RoryMac, Hendricks, Ellenberger, Erick Silva, Condit
WW is a fun place to be.
SSreporters - February 9, 2012
out of those, rory and erik will rule the future WW div imo...
kinda like GSP and hughes.
carmine99 - February 9, 2012
This whole situation has been an emotional roller coaster. I think i need a smoke…
jammin.. - February 9, 2012
Rec'd
The comment matches the username perfectly.
SSreporters - February 9, 2012
Diaz fans dispute this positive drug test
Saying that it could’ve gone either way.
SSreporters - February 9, 2012
NICE!!!
Solid.
glib_mf - February 9, 2012
I don't blame Nick for testing positive,
Nate kept telling him he was 3-1 on beating drug tests so far.
ElliotMatheny - February 10, 2012
This thread needed this:
AwkwardwithwordmakingisGoldberg,huhJoe - February 10, 2012
Hire a manager who makes sure that you test negative, homie.
dancingChicken - February 10, 2012
or takes care of your exemption.
dancingChicken - February 10, 2012
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