Nate Diaz Could Face 1-Year Suspension For Smoking Weed From Vape Pen At UFC 202 Post-Fight Press Conference

Nate Diaz could be in hot water with the UFC’s anti-doping agency for smoking CBD oil during Saturday’s UFC 202 post-fight press conference.

According to MMAFighting.com, USADA has opened an investigation into whether Diaz should be suspended for vaping at the presser.

Via MMAFighting.com

Diaz might be facing a UFC anti-doping policy potential violation for vaping cannabis at the UFC post-fight press conference Saturday night in Las Vegas, MMA Fighting has learned. Diaz was vaping on the dais and, when asked, said it was CBD, or cannibidiol oil.

“It’s CBD,” Diaz said. “It helps with the healing process and inflammation, stuff like that. So you want to get these for before and after the fights, training. It’ll make your life a better place.”

Cannibidiol is one of 113 active cannabinoids in cannabis. Cannabinoids are banned in-competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code over a certain threshold and USADA uses WADA’s prohibited substance list. In competition is considered the six hours before and the six hours after a fight. Diaz’s appearance doing post-fight media was within that timeframe.

Depending on circumstances, USADA can give cannabis users in-competition anywhere from a public-warning sanction to a one-year suspension, depending on the circumstances.

“I can confirm that USADA is aware of the situation and is currently gathering information in order to determine the next appropriate steps,” USADA spokesperson Ryan Madden told MMA Fighting in a statement.

Diaz likely thought he was in the clear because he had already been drug tested before going to the press conference, but USADA could consider him admitting smoking CBD at the press conference as admitted use, which is the same as a positive test.

Hopefully USADA exercises some common sense and doesn’t punish Diaz for something that didn’t have any affect on the outcome of the fight.

Jorge Alonso BroBible avatar
Brobible sports editor. Jorge is a Miami native and lifelong Heat fan. He has been covering the NBA, MLB and NFL professionally for almost 10 years, specializing in digital media.