Strikeforce, Diaz: What now?

Posted on | August 11, 2009 | No Comments

By Holli Yargo

“I can pass a drug test in eight days with herbal cleansers. I drink 10 pounds of water and sweat out 10 pounds of water every day. I’ll be fine.” –Nick Diaz, before his April 2009 fight against Frank Shamrock.

Arguably, one of Mixed Martial Arts’ most controversial players, Nick Diaz operates on a level that most other top athletes would find difficult, if not impossible, to match. The Gracie Jiu Jitsu black belt from Stockton, CA has known repeated success in MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, boxing, and even triathlons. Nevertheless, it seems his greatest obstacle is usually himself with most of his losses following childish outbursts and threats to his opponents before the fight itself. He was even nearly arrested after assaulting Joe Riggs in the hospital where they were both being treated after Riggs took the unanimous decision win over Diaz at UFC 57.

Most recently in his history of self-inflicted drama, the southpaw was slated to meet Jay Hieron on August 15 at the HP Pavilion for Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg. Instead, Hieron will be facing Jesse “JT Money” Taylor, as Diaz failed to show twice for the drug test that would license him for the bout. Having popped positive on previous tests, there is little room to wonder why the middleweight would have made such a choice.

“I’m more consistent about everything being a cannabis user,” Diaz said in an interview with the LA Times in April, “I’m happy to get loaded, hear some good music . . . I remain consistent. And I have an easy way to deal with [the drug tests].” He passed his drug test for his match up with Frank Shamrock, which took place shortly after that statement, ultimately winning by TKO.

It would appear, however, confidence in his “easy way” of dealing with drug tests was not as high as he was in his fateful bout against Takanori Gomi in 2007. At that time, the former WEC and IFC champion had his impressive victory by gogoplata overturned to No Contest after failing the pre-fight drug test with a staggering 175 for marijuana. To put that number in perspective, a positive is 25 and the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) actually allows up to 50 for athletes. The commission determined he was so high he was essentially anesthetized to any pain that may have been afflicted by Gomi. For those familiar with the affects of THC, it was more surprising that Gomi gassed first and Diaz wasn’t sitting on a sofa somewhere eating potato chips. He may be consistent, but at what?

With all that said, and with his legendary coach, Cesar Gracie, now embarrassed, where does that leave Diaz? If the Tokay High School drop-out can’t stay sober in the face of a big, fat paycheck, what promotion will be willing to take a chance on him in the future? Strikeforce has got to be upset. After all, their ticket-selling first ever middleweight title fight is now an uninteresting match up between the original challenger Hieron and Taylor, whose most significant TKO was against a limousine window following his stint on The Ultimate Fighter.

What will Strikeforce do with the unrepentant cannabis-user? Will Scott Coker and company be willing to risk promoting another card dependent on Diaz’s draw? It’s not surprising that they chose Gina Carano vs. Cyborg as their main event. It was just too dodgy a risk promoting a Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Hieron event when a drug-test disaster is always a looming possibility.

While avoiding an iffy drug test spared Diaz from being sidelined for a year, it still leaves him with the reputation for being unreliable. He’s built a name for himself with a dynamic fighting style that makes him a favorite to watch, even if he loses. But will his name and record be enough to keep him in the big shows? It will be interesting to see what happens next.