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Nick Diaz tests positive for marijuana at UFC 143

Nevada State Athletic Commission will hand down penalty in future meeting

UFC 143 Condit vs. Diaz

Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

Nick Diaz enter the arena for his interim welterweight championship bout against Carlos Condit Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Condit won a unanimous decision and will likely face Georges St. Pierre in November.

UFC fighter suspended for drug use

KSNV coverage of UFC fighter Nick Diaz being suspended for testing positive for marijuana, Feb. 9, 2012.

The controversy surrounding last weekend’s UFC 143 main event added a new layer Thursday afternoon.

Nick Diaz tested positive for marijuana following his unanimous-decision loss to Carlos Condit, according to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Keith Kizer, the commission’s executive director, confirmed rumors of the failed test in a press release.

Diaz will face disciplinary action at a future commission meeting. It’s the second time the former Strikeforce welterweight champion has tested positive for marijuana in Nevada.

"I am beyond disappointed that he tested positive for marijuana," UFC President Dana White said in a statement. "It is now in the hands of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.”

The commission also detected marijuana in Diaz’s system after a shocking submission victory over Takanori Gomi in a PRIDE event in 2007 at the Thomas & Mack Center. Diaz faced a six-month suspension for that infraction, and the commission overturned his win into a no contest.

Diaz could face a lengthier suspension for a second violation. It may not matter, however, as Diaz mentioned retirement after a close loss to Condit.

“He ran from me the whole time and kicked me with baby leg kicks,” Diaz said following the controversial decision. “That’s the way they want to play this game. I’m out of this (expletive).”

Contrary to those statements, the UFC appeared close to booking a rematch between Condit and Diaz after many fans noisily complained about the UFC 143 decision.

White tweeted Tuesday that both Condit and Diaz had agreed to a second meeting.

“Nick wanted the rematch the same night,” White tweeted.

The failed drug test halts those plans. Diaz won’t step into the octagon for the foreseeable future.

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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