Nick Diaz‘s days as a professional mixed martial artist are likely over.
According to multiple reports, the native son of Stockton, Calif., was slapped with a harsh five-year ban from the sport (and a hefty six-figure fine) by the Nevada State Athletic Commission due to a post-fight drug test that was flagged for high levels of marijuana metabolites.
The oft-delayed hearing, captured the attention (and ire) of the entire MMA world Monday afternoon. From the get-go, reactions to the proceedings were negative. The NSAC was widely panned for its handling of the case and its inconsistent approach to doling out punishment:
It’s clear that the NAC made up their minds before any of this every started. Which they always do because they are horrible.
— Jeremy Botter (@jeremybotter) September 14, 2015
I’m assuming Diaz‘s lawyers know full well this is a kangaroo court and are going through the paces to lay out a future lawsuit.
— Dave Doyle (@davedoylemma) September 14, 2015
Shout out to Nick Diaz‘s lawyer for treating this like a hearing and not the kangaroo court that it actually is.
— Matthew Roth (@MattRoth512) September 14, 2015
The meeting had numerous testy moments, however, where members of the NSAC and Diaz‘s defense team exchanged barbs. Diaz also drew laughs from viewers, but heat from the commissioners, for repeatedly invoking his Fifth Amendment rights when under questioning.
Diaz‘s attorney calls out Ludvall for this spectacle, then ends with “but PROCEED with your misinterpretation of the law.”
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) September 14, 2015
Not allowing Diaz‘ “fifth amendment” response to be a blanket one to all questions is a bush-league, child-like move by NSAC.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 14, 2015
Nick Diaz: “Respectfully, I’m not going to answer the question.” Lundvall: “And the reason?” Diaz: “Fifth amendment.”
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) September 14, 2015
Nick Diaz be like pic.twitter.com/1ZAfo6serY
— David Bixenspan (@davidbix) September 14, 2015
When the NSAC began discussing punishment, Commissioner Pat Lundvall immediately opened by calling for a lifetime ban on Diaz. On paper, at least, that would be pushed down to a five-year suspension alongside a reported fine of $165,000. That such harsh measures were even in play, however, did not sit well with many observers:
Pat Lundvall recommends a lifetime ban for Nick Diaz. For marijuana. CSAC suspends repeat offenders 90 days for weed.
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) September 14, 2015
Lifetime ban is being debated. Lundvall referring to Diaz‘s multiple failures to support it. “He’s failed to demonstrate any effort”
— Heidi Fang (@HeidiFang) September 14, 2015
Lundvall was lashing out with a completely unethical motion because she’s angry, I suspect because Diaz‘s lawyer absolutely bodied her.
— Luke Thomas (@SBNLukeThomas) September 14, 2015
Nick Diaz getting admonished for not showing respect to the commission or the sport. What a joke.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) September 14, 2015
When the proverbial gavel was banged and Diaz‘s punishment was made official, the backlash was swift and nearly unanimous:
Takes a lot to turn Nick Diaz, a polarizing, confrontational, unrepentantly unprofessional athlete into a deeply sympathetic figure. NEVADA!
— Jordan Breen (@jordanbreen) September 14, 2015
Seriously, Josh Barnett is fighting this month and Nick Diaz was just essentially retired by the NSAC for legal marijuana use. Not right
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) September 14, 2015
I am disgusted by the actions of the NAC. Time to form a NATIONAL governing body to oversee all combat sports! #FreeNickDiaz
— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) 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
Athletes NEED proper representation, CONSISTENT penalties and RIGHTS. #FreeNickDiaz
— Nathan Quarry (@NateRockQuarry) September 14, 2015
If you think things were going to change with Diaz, or if you thought things were about to settle down, think again:
Diaz‘ attorney Lucas Middlebrook says of course they will appeal. “It was a personal vendetta suspension by the NSAC.” — #freenickdiaz
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) September 14, 2015
Nick Diaz: I wanted to tell them they’re a bunch of dorks. If it weren’t for my experts advising me to keep mouth shut.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 14, 2015
The Nick Diaz suspension will be overturned. If not, let’s get a White House petition started. #FreeNickDiaz
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) September 14, 2015
Where things go from here, however, is anyone’s guess. Diaz‘s legal team made it clear it intends to appeal, per MMAJunkie.com (Warning: NSFW language), but there is no real time frame for when that case may see a courtroom. Either way, at least for now, Diaz will not be fighting for the foreseeable future. That’s a darn shame.
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