(And yes, that is how you formally enter a “not guilty” plea in Stockton. / Photo via NateDogg209)
According to an ESPN report, UFC welterweight Nick Diaz pleaded not guilty yesterday to eight DUI-related charges stemming from incidents in November 2013 and earlier this month. Diaz’s plea was entered in San Joaquin County Court in California, through his attorney Mandeep Singh Sidhu.* His next court appearance is slated for November 6th, less than three months before he’s scheduled to face Anderson Silva at UFC 183.
Diaz’s charges include DUI, DUI with an alcohol or drug level above .08, unsafe speed for prevailing conditions, failure to appear after written promise**, driving with a suspended license, and a resisting arrest charge that Diaz picked up while trying to vomit up his alcohol at the Lodi Police Department.
Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana White have both gone on record saying that Diaz’s superfight against Silva won’t be jeopardized by these charges as long as he deals with the situation and shows up for his court appearances, which is the just about the biggest “as long as” in MMA history. Not showing up is kind of what Diaz is known for.
I have two suggestions for the UFC at this point…
– If Diaz actually goes to trial for this, you’d better put it on Fight Pass. I promise I will finally subscribe to the goddamn thing if that happens.
– Start compiling a list of backup opponents for Anderson Silva right now. The crazier the better. Tim Sylvia wants to get back in the UFC so badly? Perfect.
* Whaaaat? What happened to that Jonathan Tweedale cat? He seemed fun.
** “I’ll totally be at your bullshit court, erwhatever. xo, Nick“