Nick Diaz was recently handed a five-year suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, for testing positive for marijuana after UFC 183 back in January, even when his opponent in the match, Anderson Silva, received just a one-year suspension for testing positive for steroids.
The latter seems to be an offense far worse, so to most observers, the stiffer penalty that Diaz received simply doesn't make any sense.
Ronda Rousey was among those appalled by the decision, and let loose on the matter at a UFC press conference in Melbourne on Wednesday.
"I’m sorry, but it’s so not right for him to be suspended five years for marijuana," Rousey said. "I’m against testing for weed at all. It’s not a performance enhancing drug. And it has nothing to do with competition. It’s only tested for political reasons.
"They say, 'It's only for your safety to keep you from hurting yourself.’ You know what, then why don’t they test us for all the other things that could possibly hurt us, that we could be under the influence of when we're out there?
"There’s no reason that we should be tested for weed. It shouldn't be involved at all. Nick is a really close and dear friend of mine so of course I’m going to defend him. It’s so unfair.
"If one person tests for steroids, that could actually hurt a person, and the other person smokes a plant that makes him happy, and he gets suspended for five years. Whereas a guy who could hurt someone gets a slap on the wrist. It’s not fair. It’s not fair at all. I can’t believe it's not being said more. And you know what, I think we should free Nick Diaz."
Rousey wasn't the only person associated with the UFC who was unhappy with the decision. Joe Rogan, who is employed by the organization as an analyst, took to Twitter to voice his displeasure.
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[via Maxim]
