UFC President Dana White issued the following statement via email in response to the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s report on UFC 143 interim welterweight championship contender Nick Diaz:
“I am beyond disappointed that he tested positive for marijuana,” said White. “It is now in the hands of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.”
Earlier today Keith Kizer, Executive Director of the Nevada Athletic Commission, sent out an email to members of the media in regard to UFC 143 post-fight drug tests, containing this hairy little nugget:
All results received thus far have been negative, except Mr. Diaz tested positive for marijuana metabolites. A complaint for disciplinary action against Mr. Diaz has been filed.
Given Diaz’ well-publicized track record, it is hard to fathom how anyone could possibly be surprised, let alone disappointed, in Diaz for testing positive for marijuana.
Regardless, the whole situation is a mucked up win-win for both the organization and Diaz.
The amount of publicity Diaz has toked up during his short return to the UFC—from retiring BJ Penn to the whole back-and-forth saga with Georges St-Pierre—has been nothing short of proactive. It got the people talking.
It’s not like the sport is going to receive a black eye for the Diaz drug test, unless people think the UFC took the low road in knowingly bringing back a known rabble-rouser. Did they?
For Diaz—who never wavered from his “principles”—he gets to be even more endearing to the fans. Also, did he not already retire after his close decision loss to Condit? So, really, all of this is a moot point, right?
The one thing no one should be doing right now though is getting mad at Diaz. Nor should they be confused over his actions or call him an idiot (or any other superlatives). Diaz is who he is. Dana wanted him to play the game “just a little bit,” and he didn’t.
Perhaps all of it was a game all along…so put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Photo of Nick Diaz (left) with UFC President Dana White (right) via CombatLifestyle.com.
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