Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The mixed martial arts (MMA) community already knew Nate Diaz did nothing wrong when he failed a United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) drug test earlier this week, but now they have final confirmation. Diaz has been exonerated by USADA for any wrongdoing after it was discovered that an organic, vegan, plant-based multivitamin had contained the trace amounts of a SARM that Diaz initially popped for.
With Diaz’s name cleared the upcoming “BMF” title fight at UFC 244 next weekend in New York City will go down as planned. It’s incredible news considering the MMA community thought it had lost Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal to another USADA snafu, but Diaz’s outspoken approach helped speed up the process and force the promotion’s hand in proving his innocence.
As you may have imagined, the MMA community had much to say about Diaz’s USADA exoneration. While we’ve seen fighters beat out USADA in the past and eventually clear their names, nobody has been able to put the pressure on the anti-doping agency quite like Diaz did. Check out below for all the best reaction from the combat masses:
The fight is ON!!! I 100% knew Nate wasn’t taking anything to cheat. #UFC244 November 2, MSG. #BMF pic.twitter.com/U9VEOPT0Ul
— Dana White (@danawhite) October 26, 2019
Good. That’s as it should be.
Now how about USADA giving me back 18 months of my career and forcing me to take them to court?
I’m glad Nate is absolved, as he should be, but USADA clearly has no set standards and act arbitrarily it would seem. https://t.co/htSlXJKsy7
— (@JoshLBarnett) October 26, 2019
Nice to see the UFC stand up for an athlete of theirs.
I remember how when asked they stepped up for me as well…
Oh wait… https://t.co/62ZxUW1Aml
— (@JoshLBarnett) October 26, 2019
The Diaz brothers continue doing their part to right this crooked ass sport. It’s still #repealUSADA though.
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) October 26, 2019
Nate Diaz is truly one of a kind.
* Felt so strongly he was innocent that he was willing to go rogue and spill all the beans himself.
* Publicly demands 2x that he is exonerated and cleared by all parties or he’s not budging.
* Is “unequivocally” cleared of any wrongdoing. pic.twitter.com/f5oCFQNy1l
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 26, 2019
With all this Diaz and USADA stuff going I will say this, USADA is worse than being on probation. I was out with the family one time at Dave and busters and dude made me do a test in the bathroom while everyone was coming in and out watching me poor piss into a glass bottle.
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) October 26, 2019
Hopefully now they have these thresholds set they can go back and review any previous suspensions. Great step forward by USADA and the UFC. Where can athletes find information on what the acceptable levels are? https://t.co/knw7FlvNi0
— Rock n Rumble (@ElvisSinosic) October 26, 2019
This makes no sense.
— Sean O’Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) October 26, 2019
Told ya..
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) October 26, 2019
Way to stand up for yourself @NateDiaz209 https://t.co/mZXBBolFpa
— Leslie Smith (@LeslieSmith_GF) October 26, 2019
No single fighter has done more to advance the rights of fighters in anti-doping, in practice and precedent, than Nate Diaz.
Between CBD acceptance and now expedited exoneration, he has been a powerful force.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) October 26, 2019
Stick with Mania for more reaction to Diaz’s USADA case.