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Diaz tests positive for marijuana at UFC 143
Nick Diaz tested positive for marijuana in the drug tests administered at UFC 143.
Fighters Only received confirmation of the positive test from the Nevada State Athletic Commission by email today.
NSAC executive Keith Kizer provided the following information:
“[Athletes tested:] Nick Diaz, Carlos Condit, Fabricio Werdum, Josh Koscheck, Renan Barao, Ed Herman, Dustin Poirier, Max Hollaway, Matt Riddle, Henry Martinez, Edwin Figueroa, Alex Caceres, Matt Brown, Chris Cope, Rafael Natal, Michael Kuiper, Stephen Thompson and Dan Stittgen.
“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.”
News of the failed test had been heavily rumoured throughout the day, following an announcement from Diaz’s coach Cesar Gracie that a proposed rematch with Carlos Condit definitely would not be happening.
Fans had clamoured for the rematch in the wake of Saturday night’s controversial decision win for Condit and the UFC also wanted to see it, perhaps largely because a Diaz win would set up a big money fight with Georges St. Pierre later this year.
Ironically, the Condit win turns out to have been a big favour for the UFC as it now doesn’t have to put the brakes on the hype train that would have been set rolling for Diaz vs. GSP.
As for Diaz, having tested positive for marijuana once in Nevada in the past - it turned his submission win over Takanori Gomi into a no-contest - he is probably looking at a lengthy ban and a fine. His 2007 ban was six months and the fine was $3,000. That could possibly be inflated for a second offence.
Note: There are still drug test results to be returned from UFC 143. It is possible that further names could be added to the list of positives this week.
Comments
MarkoDarko
Posted at 11:21 on February 10th 2012
It'll be ridiculous to see Diaz banned for failing a drug test due to cannabis. I don't see how a fighter can be punished for taking something which can in no way have had any positive effect on his performance. Seeing as Diaz has a medical license to use cannabis in California, coupled with the fact marijuana can stay in the body for up to 3 months after the last use, makes the situation doubly absurd.
I think its the pain-killer effects of cannabis which is the reason its banned. Getting hurt by an opponent and not knowing it because of a foreign substance is an advantage really because you can carry on fighting when ordinarilly you might be unable to.
Lenin/McCarthy
Posted at 21:05 on February 10th 2012
It'll be ridiculous to see Diaz banned for failing a drug test due to cannabis. I don't see how a fighter can be punished for taking something which can in no way have had any positive effect on his performance. Seeing as Diaz has a medical license to use cannabis in California, coupled with the fact marijuana can stay in the body for up to 3 months after the last use, makes the situation doubly absurd.
I think its the pain-killer effects of cannabis which is the reason its banned. Getting hurt by an opponent and not knowing it because of a foreign substance is an advantage really because you can carry on fighting when ordinarilly you might be unable to.
If this is the case the NSAC need to actually try the drug in question, because as a cannabis user for 19 years I can safely say any painkilling effects are negligible, at best. Alcohol is actually a far more effective way of easing pain, although i'll wager fighters aren't tested for this drug!
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Lenin/McCarthy
Posted at 00:07 on February 10th 2012
It'll be ridiculous to see Diaz banned for failing a drug test due to cannabis. I don't see how a fighter can be punished for taking something which can in no way have had any positive effect on his performance. Seeing as Diaz has a medical license to use cannabis in California, coupled with the fact marijuana can stay in the body for up to 3 months after the last use, makes the situation doubly absurd.
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