Where you at, homie?
Nick Diaz is...well cut from a differente cloth, to say it mildly. He and his brother have a history of erradict behavior, spontaneous street fights, unapologetic behavior. And of course, they are both lovers of smoking the controversial green nectar of stoner Gods that is the marijuana plant. Which is exatly the reason why he's gotten himself into this mess in the first place.
 |
| Yep, that's Nick. Mean mugging with his fist up since grade school source |
The verdict
UFC's bad boy has gotten a 5 year suspension for smoking weed. This was Nick's 3rd time getting caught with marijuana in his system and things didn't look good prior to the hearing. However Nick's attorney, made several valid points and arguments that should have lowered Nick's sentence. Unfortunately, no such thing happend. Nick got the death sentence. Here's how it all went down.
The test
On UFC 183 fight night, Nick took 3 urine tests. First test was administered by a WADA approved SMRTL* representative at 7:12 p.m. prior to his fight. The second test was taken by a none-WADA approved, Quest diagnostic lab at 10:38 p.m. after Nick's fight. Lastley, the third test was taken at 11:55 p.m, once again by a SMRTL representative. Two of those 3 tests came back negative for marijuana and one came back positive showing double the allowed amount in his system. The two that came back negative were the SMRTL tests, which as stated above, are approved by the World anti-doping agency and hold a greater credibility to the Quest diagnostics tests. Nick's lawyler even brought in a drug testing expert who stated that it is MEDICALLY IMPLAUSIBLE that Nick registered that amount of marijuana in his system between the two negative tests.
The trial
Now I must admit, I haven't seen the entire trial but from the transcripts that I have read and what little footage of the trial I have seen it all indicates that the this wasn't a trial. It was an execution. Nick's lawyers did their best given the circumstances but it was an uphill battle. Nick was ordered to keep his mouth shut and plea the fifth amendment to any and all questions asked by te commission. Diaz's lawyers presented a series of evidence that pointed out that the Quest diagnostic test was unreliable and incorrect. However, the commission stood firm on their arguments and refused to acknowledge the 2 negative test administered by a more reliable testing facility and focused on the sole negative test.
"Mr Diaz, which Star Wars movie did you like the most? Uhm, the fifth."
Keep in mind, that this is the same commission that gave Anderon Silva a one year fighting suspension starting from the date he last fought, meaning he already served a good chunk of his suspension. Let me remind you that Anderson failed a pre and post fight doping tests for drostanolone metabolites and androstane. Which are actual performance enhanceres, while marijuana is a recreational drug that can be medically acquired with a prescription. Also worth noting is that unlike Diaz's actually coherent and solid defense backed up by evidence, Anderson Silva's was borderline comical. The explanation for Anderson's failed drug tests was sex pills bougth in Thailand from an acquaintance, and his defense attorney flat out said "I don't know" when asked how did his client get in contact with anabolic steroids. Not even joking.
Throw in some fart jokes, a pack of beer and you got yourself a frat party
Conclusion
Let's be honest here. Had Nick went in there, with a comically incapable halfwit lawyer who would just shuffle through papers while Nick did his whole loud mouth "don't be scared homie" thing and gave them a spectacle he wouldn't have gotten 5 years. Because this is what these trials are, a spectacle. The commission doesn't care for your arguments and evidence, all they want you to do is confess your sins, bend over and take it like a man. That's why Jake Shields came to the hearing without a lawyer, expressed regret for the post fight attack on Rousimar Palhares and only got 50 hours of community service. Speaking of which, since Rousimar's hearing has been rescheduled to next month it makes me think that as a repeated offender (more on that, here) he will be made an example off and could end up getting and even greater suspension then Diaz. I would also like to take your attention towards the new strict UFC anti doping pollicy under which; Nick not only can't compete in MMA for 5 year, but he can't corner any of his team mates(including his brother), can't train with any professional athlete and any professional athlete that trains with him could end up facing anti doping violation charges and be prosecuted or suspended. This is a topic in itself but it's relevant to the Diaz trail, since it will force him to not train with anyone that the UFC or USADA consider professional athletes.
p.s. remember those pesky Quest labs/SMRTL test shenanigans I keep rambling about? Well, Anderson Silva tested positive for anabolic steroids on the SMRTL test, but the Quest labs one came back clean. NSAC had no poblem using the SMRTL test result to prove Anderson's guilt, yet in the case of Nick Diaz, they discredit those test results which prove his innocence.
*Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory
No comments:
Post a Comment