Nick Diaz’s marijuana suspension was officially reduced to 18 months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission at a hearing in the state yesterday.
NSAC had received a major backlash last year when they blasted Diaz with what appeared to be an unneccesarily harsh and out-of-proportion punishment for a third marijuana violation, suspending him for five years in addition to a $165,000 fine.
That would have all but ended the 32 year-old’s career, but pressure from everyone from fans (including over 100,000 signatures for a White House petition), fighters, media and even celebrities, together with diligent work from Diaz’s legal team led to a settlement, resulting in yesterday’s reduction in his punishment which now amounts to 18 months and a $100,000 fine.
Taking into consideration time already served it means that Diaz could be back in the Octagon fighting by August 1st of this year.
“I’d like to thank Dana, Lorenzo, UFC, my attorney’s and all my fans,” Diaz wrote on social media after the decision was announced. “Back to work.”
Diaz last fought at UFC 183 in January of last year, losing out to Anderson Silva by unanimous decision before testing positive for marijuana post-fight. The fight was later amended to a no-contest when it also emerged that Silva had tested positive for steroids.
