Source: MMA Weekly
Nick Diaz‘s lawyer has filed a lawsuit on his behalf this week against the NSAC claiming they violated his right to a full hearing after he tested positive for marijuana after his fight with Carlos Condit at UFC 143. Diaz is still currently suspended and awaiting a hearing. The most current hearing penciled in Alistair Overeem for his high T/E ratio but did not allow Diaz to have his case heard or defended. This issue is especially concerning since Diaz’s issue occurred months before Overeem and yet it still hasn’t been heard. Diaz and his attorney are definitely pushing the limits of his case when they claim that marijuana is not listed on the NSAC’s list of banned substances and that Diaz did not lie to the commission since marijuana is not a prescription drug. All the technicalities aside, Diaz and his team is seeking a full dismissal of his charges and that he be reinstated immediately.
While I normally don’t agree with all this legal motioning, Diaz and his team have a point. They haven’t been given a fair shake considering their case should have been heard over Alistair Overeem’s case. Diaz may have messed up but if the NSAC made mistakes in not allowing Diaz a fair hearing, there could be trouble for the NSAC. At this point, I don’t think they want any more bad publicity than they have already gotten. Diaz and his team seem hell bent on seeing this thing through considering his livelihood is at stake. I hope this thing gets resolved soon and Diaz can return to action as soon as possible. Say what you want about the guy and his attitude but he comes to fight and puts on good fights. As a paying fan, he is the kind of fighter I want to see. He and Condit put on a good fight and I think the rematch will be just as good. If anything, the rematch will be even better next time around since Diaz will look to finish Condit. Condit will also have some incentive to finish this fight considering how much criticism he has gotten for his win. Here is hoping the NSAC makes this thing go away and Diaz comes back with a rematch asap.
Update 5/3/2012: Dana White is not optimistic that Nick Diaz will win his case against the NSAC. The NSAC has not backed down from Diaz and his attorney advising that their suspension of Diaz is justified considering he failed to turn in proof that he is allowed to use medical marijuana. White sees the issue as black and white, Diaz smoked marijuana and so he is now suspended. The only issue I still have is that Diaz is suspended for 12 months while Overeem only gets 9 months for steroids? How does that make sense? Overeem should have gotten more time.
Update 5/21/2012: Nick Diaz’s day in front of the NSAC was all for not. Diaz will continue to serve his 12 month suspension retroactive to February 4 and was fined 30% of his $200,00 purse from his fight with Carlos Condit. You won’t be seeing Diaz fighting in the octagon any time soon. Good news though, Braulio Estima and Cesar Gracie still want to do a super fight in BJJ so look for that. Or not considering what happened at the WJJE last weekend.
