Nick Diaz has hired a law firm to investigate his recent failed drug test, with the apparent goal of minimizing (or staving off entirely) a lengthy suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
The popular Diaz lost by decision to Anderson Silva in the main event of UFC 183 in January, then tested positive for marijuana metabolites in his post-fight drug screening.
Now, he has reportedly retained the services of Seham, Seham, Meltz and Petersen LLP, a New York law firm, to look into potential "irregularities" in the test results. The news was reported by broadcaster Ariel Helwani on Wednesday night's UFC Tonight program (h/t Dave Doyle of MMAFighting.com).
According to Helwani's report, "Diaz's manager, Lloyd Pierson, Diaz believes there were 'irregularities' in Diaz's results," though there was no indication what those irregularities might be.
The firm, which specializes in "drug and alcohol testing policies and procedures," among other areas, will represent Diaz at his upcoming NSAC hearing, which, after Diaz recently requested and received a continuance, is now expected to take place in April.
As Diaz could be facing substantial punishments for his drug test failure, including fines and suspensions, his team presumably requested the continuance so it could have more time to mount his defense.
This is the third time Diaz has failed a drug test because of marijuana metabolites. In 2007, a famous gogoplata submission win became a no-contest after Diaz failed the screening. The NSAC suspended Diaz for a full year after his failure in 2012, which came after a decision loss to Carlos Condit in 2012.
Got to meet @tommychong !!! Thanks for the hoodie and the roller #CheechandChong #tommychong… http://t.co/AX1cUVdTI1
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) February 14, 2015 Diaz is not the only person tainted by a drug test failure at UFC 183. His opponent, Silva, tested positive for an anabolic steroid, drostanolone, following his win. Silva also faces disciplinary action from the NSAC.
Because of the suspension and a period of semi-retirement, Diaz has only fought three times in the past three years. Though all three fights were losses, they came in title fights against Condit and Georges St-Pierre, then to Silva.
It is unclear whom he might fight next or even whether he will fight again, pending the results of the disciplinary hearing. His team's hiring of the law firm seems to indicate Diaz is interested in staying active, or at least avoiding punishment related to the drug test.
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