Feb 22, 2012 - A temporary suspension of Nick Diaz's fighter license was issued during a Wednesday meeting of the Nevada state athletic commission, stemming from the positive drug sample he produced during the weekend of UFC 143.
The suspension was requested by Nevada deputy attorney general Christopher Eccles, and unanimously approved by the commission until a follow-up disciplinary meeting can be scheduled. At that hearing, Diaz will have the opportunity to present a defense. He was not present at Wednesday's meeting.
When he does sit before the commission, he will likely have to answer not only for his recent drug screening failure which saw him test positive for marijuana metabolites, but also for a previous failed screening back in February 2007, also for marijuana. At that time, he was suspended for six months and fined 20 percent of his purse.
During Wednesday's meeting, commission chairman Skip Avansino requested notes and minutes from the 2007 Nevada matter, as well as any related disciplinary information from other states in preparation of Diaz's upcoming hearing.
The stage was also set for a possible defense that could include a retroactive request for a medical marijuana exemption, as Eccles noted a belief that "the question will come up" given Diaz's personal license for medical use in California.
NSAC executive director Keith Kizer recently told MMA Fighting that no fighter had ever applied for a medial marijuana therapeutic use exemption, but that the commission would take the same steps as normal when considering the request.
In addition to as much as a one-year suspension, Diaz faces the possibility of a financial fine, as the commission asked to receive "full data" on his purse as well as any bonuses earned for his participation at UFC 143. Diaz earned a salary of $200,000 for the bout -- a unanimous decision loss to Carlos Condit -- but likely received undisclosed bonuses that may also be affected.
Diaz has hired Las Vegas attorney Ross Goodman to defend him during the upcoming hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
22 comments
Comments
Nevada Suspends Nick Diaz's License
I feel really bad for Diaz, sucks… I hope he comes back hungry for revenge…
by Iggy78 on Feb 22, 2012 1:54 PM EST reply actions
Tax Dollars well spent
Maybe now the scourge of marijuana on our beloved sport can finally be stopped.
by Ellrick on Feb 22, 2012 1:55 PM EST reply actions
The most corrupt state in the country
is going to use this to line there own pockets. Who cares if they suspend him let him fight in Cali or watch him beat up GSP in Canada.
by jjrizzo223 on Feb 22, 2012 1:58 PM EST reply actions
Haha Good 1
Maybe through the window at his trainers kids Bday party to escape from Gsp…again…
Gsp would rip Nick in half.
It wouldn’t even be a fight.
by A_Lone_Wolf on Feb 22, 2012 8:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Maybe Nick will jump through the window
by A_Lone_Wolf on Feb 22, 2012 8:10 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I can see where exemptions can be a slippery slope
but this one is a joke. Let it go. So long as he was not high in the ring hes not hurting anyone
May Doug Marrone bless you and keep you.
by ryanwk628 on Feb 22, 2012 2:12 PM EST reply actions
It's Friday, you ain't got no job, and you ain't got shit to do!
by Martin Arredondo on Feb 22, 2012 2:55 PM EST reply actions
It's Friday, you ain't got no job, and you ain't got shit to do!
by Martin Arredondo on Feb 22, 2012 2:57 PM EST reply actions
anyone else have flashbacks watching this?
"Alistair Overeem is a Dutch kickboxer who looks like someone at Marvel comics drew a man genetically engineered to fuck your girlfriend."
Hendo/Bisping:
"He hit him so hard that even gravity got scared. Bisping hung in mid-air for a moment while gravity screamed at inertia, "Did you see that shit!?" Then, after a high five, the two universal forces quit screwing around and yanked Bisping's limp body onto the floor." - quotes by Seanbaby
by superfknmario__ on Feb 22, 2012 6:29 PM EST up reply actions
Two words: Chael Sonnen
Looks like NIck Diaz is getting a longer suspension than Chael. What a joke! I am effectively quitting the UFC until Diaz is back! I hope that others do the same.
FREE DIAZ!!
by steven.sal.debus on Feb 22, 2012 4:22 PM EST reply actions
His supspension has nothing to do with the UFC, so you are doing the sport no good by cutting UFC out. Read the article, ignorance is not acceptable. It CLEARLY states NEVADA STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION.
by kheckert on Feb 22, 2012 4:42 PM EST up reply actions
Junkie
by PickoDetrebaa on Feb 22, 2012 4:33 PM EST reply actions
Russia Coming Hard Nikky Poy
Komentary of Mr Doc of Western Wyatt movie, “Most bestest pistol shooter since Wildest Billy, they say. What to think darlink? Should it hate of him?” Nyet! It’s not nobody for he even knowing. Coming in Russia Nikky Poy. Best fight country of all globe. Regulation not is important. Just to entertainment fighting for after Russian vodka drink highest volume important. Coming Russia UFC hard. Massif UFC supportz is Russia krazy fight fanaticals. Oi!
Strong Russian Cage Girl. Need MMA husband. Nyet couch potato. Really muscles better.
by Ivana Likitov on Feb 22, 2012 7:32 PM EST reply actions
Weed does not help you fight!
There should not be a fine or suspension. Long live stanky buds.
by JMadden on Feb 22, 2012 11:31 PM EST reply actions
"The stickiest of the icky"
As Rick James says so. Diaz will take the 6month suspension and move on end of story the commission has spoken.
by iboneu89 on Feb 23, 2012 11:20 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
im sorry
For all you gsp fans…..if you truely believe gsp can hang with nicks ground game or stand up with him your seriously crazy. Its ok to be a true fan of someone you like, but gsp is over-fuken-rated I mean he had to hire fredie roach to stand up with koscheck only to jab for twenty five fuken minutes……true athlete maybe but a true fighter gsp is not!
by mmaroots619 on Feb 22, 2012 11:51 PM EST via mobile reply actions
You are an idiot.
by sharkpop on Feb 23, 2012 9:04 AM EST up reply actions
no need to feed the troll
"Alistair Overeem is a Dutch kickboxer who looks like someone at Marvel comics drew a man genetically engineered to fuck your girlfriend."
Hendo/Bisping:
"He hit him so hard that even gravity got scared. Bisping hung in mid-air for a moment while gravity screamed at inertia, "Did you see that shit!?" Then, after a high five, the two universal forces quit screwing around and yanked Bisping's limp body onto the floor." - quotes by Seanbaby
by superfknmario__ on Feb 23, 2012 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
209
[IMG]http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j403/GeoffreyJellineck/NickDiazFlippingOffCamera.gif[/IMG]
by Jellyneck on Feb 23, 2012 2:44 AM EST reply actions
209
by Jellyneck on Feb 23, 2012 2:46 AM EST reply actions
209
by Jellyneck on Feb 23, 2012 2:50 AM EST reply actions
nick just needs to apply for a license in a state that weed is legal. even now if he went to fight in California in a months time, the California state athletic commission will have to grant him a license, because they have to accept that nick according to their own state laws, didn’t do anything wrong. its probably on the few times the CSAC would not uphold the NSAC law as they usually do thru gentleman’s agreements, but for the weed thing, they can grant him one, as they don’t see nick doing anything wrong .
by UFC IS JOKE Sometimes on Feb 23, 2012 2:56 PM EST reply actions
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