Nick Diaz’ career could be technically over if the five-year ban imposed on him by the Nevada State Athletic Commission stands. Diaz was meted a five-year suspension on top of a $165,000 fine due to multiple failed drug tests.
The UFC star faced a returning Anderson Silva last January 31 in a highly controversial contest. Before news about Diaz’ suspension came out recently, Silva was also suspended for one year after failing a pair of drug tests for UFC 183.
The tiff between Diaz and Silva was also ruled as a no-contest due to post-fight test results.
It will be recalled that Silva twice tested positive for drostanolone metabolites and then again or a second anabolic steroid, androstane along with temazepam and oxazepam.
Silva’s camp would later on place the blame on a sex-enhancing drug was the cause of the failed tests.
Now, the attention has shifted to the 31-year-old Diaz who will be 36-year-old should the five-year-ban prosper. Diaz and his legal group plan to appeal the decision.
Lawyer Lucas Middlebrook plans to file a petition for the judicial review which needs to be filed within 30 days. If all goes well, the process could gain headway 60 to 90 days from the time the petition is filed.
Middlebrook added that it seems highly irregular to hold three separate drug tests on one fighter on the same day and having those tests sent to three different labs.
The development apparently did not sit well with Diaz who claims that was practically being robbed of a living.
"Bottom line is ... these guys are legally trying to rob me, robbing other fighters. I became a fighter so I don't gotta rob nobody," Diaz told FOX Sports.
The five-year suspension stands as the second-longest punishment handed by the NSAC. The longest suspension was meted to Wanderlei Silva who was handed a lifetime ban. The suspension was however lifted in May after a Nevada district judge reversed the ruling for lack of substantial evidence.
The current setback is Diaz third time to be suspended by the NSAC. Back in 2007, Diaz was suspended after testing positive for THC. In 2012, he was suspended for a year for testing positive to marijuana metabolites following a loss to Carlos Condit.
Despite all the adversities surrounding Diaz right now, the American mixed-martial artists believes that he will be back competing in high-profile fights in a year’s time. For the time being, he could keep himself busy teaching jiu-jitsu classes.
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