Diaz

By FCF Staff

As his manager Cesar Gracie relayed earlier this summer, Nick Diaz will reportedly challenge the suspension he has been handed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in court, with the hopes of returning to action before the year is out.

According to a report from the Las Vegas Review Journal, Diaz’s attorney filed a motion Wednesday to have the one year suspension from the NSAC reviewed. The suspension was imposed after the decorated fighter tested positive for marijuana metabolites in February, following his unanimous decision loss to Carlos Condit at UFC 143.

Diaz’s representatives have argued that the fighter is legally allowed to use marijuana, due to the medical prescription he carries for it in California. Further, they argue, that the tests did not demonstrate active THC, and that therefore, Diaz’s marijuana use remained outside competition as he’s allowed to do.

The NSAC ruled against Diaz’s appeal and in addition to the suspension, the repeat offender was fined nearly $80,000 dollars. The former Strikeforce champion also tested positive for marijuana use in 2007.

The NSAC also contends that Diaz gave fraudulent answers to his pre-fight medical questionnaire, but his representation is arguing that the fighter just answered incorrectly. According to their defense, Diaz did not know he should list his Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder–which he treats with marijuana–as a serious medical condition.

Prior to his suspension, Diaz made headlines when he announced he was leaving the sport following his tightly contested loss to Condit. More recently, however, the fighter and his camp announced his intention to return.