Let’s put this into perspective… Anderson Silva tested positive for performance enhancing drugs and was suspended for one year. Nick Diaz tested positive for marijuana metabolites and has been suspended for five.
While it’s not as cut-and-dry as that statement because Diaz is something of a recidivist, having tested positive for the same substance on two previous occasions in Nevada, the disparity between the punishments didn’t go unnoticed.
The book wasn’t so much thrown as it was hurled at Diaz and, along with a $165,000 fine, the suspension seems a tad excessive as the Nevada State Athletic Commission looked to make an example of the welterweight.
Suffice to say that the MMA community was surprised by the outcome of the disciplinary hearing.
Nick Diaz suspended for 5 years and fined 33% of his purse. For weed. Yes, you read that correctly. #UFC
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) September 14, 2015
Never seen so much time wasted in my life #freeNickDiaz #LegalizeIt — Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) September 14, 2015
5years for smoking a natural plant.. Then all the juice heads get a slap on the wrist. #seriousbro… http://t.co/ebPqEWsb7P
— STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) September 14, 2015
This is going to create a uproar & will take @nickdiaz209 to new heights as a icon for the many medicinal marijuana using fans #justwatch — Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) September 14, 2015
I personally feel that Nick Diaz getting what amounts to a lifetime ban for a non-PED is absolutely insane!! Out of touch with reality
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) September 14, 2015
Nick Diaz suspended for 5 years for marijuana. Absurd how they got to that. This is a dark day for combat sports. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 14, 2015
Damn. Huge got burned before the new levels administered for marijuana use, from what I remember. 5yrs, and 500k?! That's harsh and wrong!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 14, 2015
@nickdiaz209 so wrong you fight a guy on roids then they take it out on you!!! #peopleschamp
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) September 14, 2015
Has anyone testing positive for steroids been suspended even remotely close to 5 years?
— Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) September 14, 2015
Nick Diaz suspended five years…for lethal mix of pot and disrespect. Fined $500,000. Logic couldn't find its way to the hearing.
— Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) September 14, 2015
Fuck the dumbshit!! I seen what happened. #FreeNickDiaz its a movement
— King Muhammed (@KingMoFH) September 14, 2015
So sad! @nickdiaz209 is one of my favorite athletes to watch compete.
— Shannon Knapp (@shanknapp) September 14, 2015
https://twitter.com/colemillerATT/status/643538247277260801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Diaz' attorney Lucas Middlebrook says of course they will appeal. "It was a personal vendetta suspension by the NSAC." — #freenickdiaz
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) September 14, 2015
I don't support any drug use AT ALL but @nickdiaz209 gets 5 year ban for weed and others only getting 1 year for steroids? #thatsnotright
— Chad Laprise (@ChadLaprise) September 14, 2015
