As it turns out, when you support commissions handing out harsher penalties for drug test failures you get… harsher penalties for drug test failures. That hasn’t stopped the massive blowback from fans and media to the news that Nick Diaz would be getting suspended for 5 years and fined $165,000 for his 3rd failed drug test for marijuana metabolites in an NSAC sanctioned fight. Even some of the UFC’s own fighters are getting in on the action, criticizing a decision which many see as beyond the pale for pot consumption.
Leading the charge is UFC featherweight Cole Miller, who voiced his support for fighters to boycot competing on cards in Nevada.
I’ve been saying the industry of Mma supports steroids for years, wants the fighters on them, this is just another confirmation.
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) September 14, 2015
If you don’t verbally blow the establishment they throw the book at you. I see why Nick hates the industry. Mma not a sport #FreeNickDiaz
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) September 14, 2015
always enjoyed fighting in Nevada primarily for their regard professionalism.its a shame they don’t function on that anymore. #FreeNickDiaz
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) September 14, 2015
No marijuana allowed in Nevada. The NAC will “weed” you out of a job.
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) September 14, 2015
If fighters want to take a stand , refuse to fight in Nevada. There will be nobody to take money from. #FreeNickDiaz
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) September 14, 2015
But it wasn’t just Miller who had a lot to say. Fighters across the spectrum in the UFC ranks (and even a couple outside them) spoke up on behalf of the former Strikeforce champion.
ummm, what??!? Half a decade? #MMA #UFC https://t.co/vwuyFnoUdE
— Chris Wade (@CWadeMMA) September 14, 2015
Has anyone testing positive for steroids been suspended even remotely close to 5 years?
— Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) September 14, 2015
Talk about taking someone’s life away
— Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) 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
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
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 (@FunkMaster_UFC) September 14, 2015
I’m not a big fan of Diaz but come on .. life time ban its completely stupid !!! I’m not ok with drugs to but its WEED .. take it easy !
— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) September 14, 2015
So Lombard got 1 year suspension for steroids and Diaz 5 years ban for WEED …. WHAT THE F*CK !!!!!!! #unreal
— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) September 14, 2015
They are going to come down on him hard… this is making me so aggravated #freeNickDiaz
— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) September 14, 2015
Fuck that
— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) September 14, 2015
For smoking marijuana
— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) September 14, 2015
Which he is prescribed
— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) September 14, 2015
Okay I’m signed into Fight Pass now. This lady has lost her mind.
— Josh Samman (@JoshSamman) September 14, 2015
Can’t corner his brother, Gilbert, Jake, anyone for five years if this passes.
— Josh Samman (@JoshSamman) September 14, 2015
Holy shit
— Josh Samman (@JoshSamman) September 14, 2015
Blow twitter up with that #FreeNickDiaz. People can bash Diaz but he always been coo. #FreeNickDiaz
— King Mo (@KingMoFH) September 14, 2015
@arielhelwani Marijuana being de-criminalized everywhere EXCEPT NSAC.
— Sean O’Connell (@realOCsports) 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
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
Absolutely ridiculous that @nickdiaz209 got suspended for five years for marijuana. Marijuana? Come on
— Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) September 14, 2015
Don’t do drugs kids!
— scott askham (@scottaskham1) September 14, 2015
Just seeing this now as @kennyflorian and I were on the air when it broke. So unjust. https://t.co/e4HLAAb6Y8
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) September 14, 2015
Nick Diaz suspended five years for marijuana that’s ridiculous. So that means steroid users get the death penalty correct!
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) September 14, 2015
I am a huge fan of @nickdiaz209 I want to fight him, I love watching him fight. I don’t care if my opponent use marijuana. #FREENICKDIAZ
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) 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
You’d think that after Keith Kizer left the NAC things would be better.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) September 14, 2015
Díaz suspended 5 years. What a joke. Another example of a ridiculous prohibition stance on a plant! Further reading.. pic.twitter.com/VbrRO0f4bt
— Kong Watson (@TomKongWatson) September 14, 2015
Way to blow it again #NSAC. So mind blowing they can performer a job so poorly & keep it. free @nickdiaz209
— Seth Baczynski (@Sethbmma) September 14, 2015
In light of the massive amounts of support that the announcement of harsher drug testing regulations and punishments got just a few months ago, what do you think? Is this too harsh, or just exactly as it should be for repeat offenders of the rules?
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