UFC News: Joe Rogan slams NSAC, says decision to suspend Nick Diaz is an 'irresponsible abuse of power'

Veteran UFC commentator Joe Rogan blasted the Nevada State Athletic Commission, after it imposed a five-year ban on MMA fighter Nick Diaz, which, according to the commission, is essentially equivalent to a “lifetime” ban from the Octagon. Diaz was banned after a third failed drug test following his fight with Anderson Silva at UFC 183 on Jan. 31.

Rogan was outraged over the way the NSAC handled Diaz’s failed test for marijuana for a January fight against Silva. Rogan took to social media platform Twitter to slam the commission, calling the decision to ban Diaz “callous, idiotic, and sickening.”

Rogan also argued that unless there is a scientific proof that marijuana is a performance enhancing drug, the use of it should not be restricted. UFC president Dana White also chimed in at Diaz’s situation, but remained tight-lipped about the company’s statement.

UFC middleweight fighter Josh Samman agreed that the result of Diaz’s hearing reveals more wrong with NSAC than the fighter himself. Samman wrote in his SB Nation column that the NSAC “mounted an extensive attack on logic and due process,” which was aimed at Diaz.

“They agreed amongst themselves that a five year ban was essentially a lifetime ban for the 14-year veteran, and that was that,” Samman wrote. “The gross abuse of power in the final judgement was the last bit of proof needed to damn the NAC as being more concerned with self serving agendas and egos than the fighters’ best interests.”

Diaz’s two other samples on fight night passed drug tests, which was analysed by the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory, an organisation accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency, while the third failed test was examined by Quest Diagnostics, which is not WADA accredited. However, NSAC stood by Quest’s testing technique and insisted that the commission has a positive test through a method they have been using over time.

Meanwhile, the unprecedented suspension given to Diaz led to a petition on whitehouse.gov titled “Lift the NSAC ban from MMA fighter Nick Diaz.” The petition stated that Diaz was unfairly banned by NSAC, accusing the commission of depriving the American fighter to make a living.

"Nick Diaz was unfairly banned from being a professional fighter by the Nevada Athletics Commission. They ruled based on their personal feelings and beliefs towards the use of medical Marijuana and used their power to deprive Mr. Diaz of being able to make a living,” the petition stated.

The petition must reach 100,000 signatures by Oct. 14 in order to receive a response from the White House.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.