When Frank Shamrock and Nick Diaz meet in the cage Saturday night in the main event of the Strikeforce MMA show in San Jose, the fight will feature a contrast not just in fighting styles but in personalities. And nothing highlights that contrast more than Diaz's unabashed enthusiasm for smoking marijuana, and Shamrock's disdain for how Diaz reflects on the sport.
Diaz gave an interview to the Los Angeles Times in which he talked about his enjoyment of marijuana, and how drinking large amounts of water helps him pass the drug tests that fighters are subjected to. Shamrock then gave an interview to CagePotato.com in which he said he disliked the way Diaz makes the sport look.
Shamrock said of Diaz:
I have left messages with both the California State Athletic Commission and with Strikeforce to ask them if they have any comment on Diaz smoking pot, but I have not heard back from either. I also did not hear from Diaz Thursday, even though I was told by the promotion's PR staff that he would be calling me for an interview.
UPDATE: I was told by a California State Athletic Commission official that they're confident their drug tests work and that a fighter taking banned substances will be caught. We'll see.
Diaz gave an interview to the Los Angeles Times in which he talked about his enjoyment of marijuana, and how drinking large amounts of water helps him pass the drug tests that fighters are subjected to. Shamrock then gave an interview to CagePotato.com in which he said he disliked the way Diaz makes the sport look.
Shamrock said of Diaz:
I certainly don't agree with his lifestyle and his marketing of that lifestyle as a part of mixed martial arts, because I don't think that's a part of the sport. I think he's somewhat of a freak in that way.Whether you think the California State Athletic Commission should test fighters for marijuana or not, it's certainly bizarre that Diaz would openly flout the Commission's rules on drug use. Both Strikeforce and the Commission should have something to say about it.
I have left messages with both the California State Athletic Commission and with Strikeforce to ask them if they have any comment on Diaz smoking pot, but I have not heard back from either. I also did not hear from Diaz Thursday, even though I was told by the promotion's PR staff that he would be calling me for an interview.
UPDATE: I was told by a California State Athletic Commission official that they're confident their drug tests work and that a fighter taking banned substances will be caught. We'll see.