Nick Diaz’s Suspension Could Be Dropped To 18 Months

The mixed martial arts (MMA) community was stunned when UFC welterweight and middleweight Nick Diaz was suspended five years by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) regarding a failed drug test for Marijuana metabolites.

The test was in regards to Diaz’s unanimous decision loss (now a no contest) to Anderson “The Spider” Silva last January in which Silva also failed a drug test, but for anabolic steroids.

“The Spider”, however, was only suspended for one year, leading to an extreme amount of backlash from fans towards to the commission regarding Diaz’s massive and almost ludicrous suspension.

A White House petition was signed by over 100,000 fans backing the Stockton Bad Boy, and it seems as if the voices have been heard.

UFC Tonight’s Ariel Helwani reported on tonight’s (November 4, 2015) edition of the talk show that Diaz and the NSAC are in talks involving a possible agreement that could see the fighter’s suspension dropped down to 18 months, as well as his fine lessened to 0,000:

The NSAC is considering reducing NIck Diaz‘s suspension to 18 months and 0K (Per @ArielHelwani). @DC_MMA still thinks it’s too much.

— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) November 5, 2015

18 months may still seem way too harsh, but all will agree that it’s at least a step in the right direction. Another important fact to note is that Diaz’s suspension dates back to the time of the fight which occurred on January 31, 2015, meaning that the Stockton native could be eligible to fight as early as next July.

As of now nothing is finalized, but we could have more news in the coming days.

What are your thoughts on this potential agreement?