UFC fighter Nick Diaz has been fined $165,000 and suspended for five years by the Nevada State Athletic Commission because of multiple failed drug tests.
USA Today‘s John Morgan reported the news Monday on the strict penalties besetting Diaz after a hearing concluded with the NSAC. MMA reporter David Kano added the commission said it was banning Diaz for “not just marijuana but disregard.”
Paul Dollery of The42.ie contrasted the ban Anderson Silva received for performance-enhancing drugs with Diaz’s:
MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani weighed in on Diaz’s lengthy suspension:
Diaz last took the Octagon against Silva at UFC 183 and lost to Silva by unanimous decision until it was discovered Silva had taken PEDs prior to the fight. Although he did pass two tests in the hours before the Silva bout, Diaz failed one for marijuana metabolites, marking his third failed drug test overall.
Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Snowden was also appalled by Monday’s outcome:
The severe punishment threatens to effectively end Diaz’s MMA career barring a successful appeal. It has to be expected Diaz will contest the commission’s ruling, especially with the initial outrage that’s followed Monday’s disciplinary decision-making.
Diaz has claimed the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship in the past, but at age 32, he will be hard-pressed to compete for the UFC welterweight title if the five-year suspension is upheld. In two prior title fights, Diaz has been defeated by Carlos Condit and Georges St-Pierre, respectively.
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