Nick Diaz Tests Positive: What's Next for Nick Diaz?

Bleacher Report MMA has learned via an emailed press release from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, as well as USA Today.com, that former Strikeforce Welterweight champion Nick Diaz has tested positive for "Marijuana metabolites" after a UFC 143 loss to current UFC Interim Welterweight Champion "The Natural Born Killer" Carlos Condit.

The test marks the second time Diaz has tested positive for marijuana in the state of Nevada, with the first time being after a well-documented PRIDE 33 bout with "The Fireball Kid" Takanori Gomi.

Despite photographic evidence on his official Twitter and the potential of a scientifically-proven "false positive", NSAC Rule 467, Section 850, under the title of "Prohibited Acts, Disciplinary Actions" prohibits marijuana and other drugs of abuse, as well as PEDs of any kind.

Now the question remains, "What happens to Diaz next?", and the question is met with conflicting views.

On one side, there will be those that see this as an unforgivable offense, and despite it being the second time Diaz has tested positive in Nevada, some will feel that now will be the time for Dana White to hand Diaz his walking papers. And some would justify it by referencing Diaz's bizarre post-fight call for retirement this this past Saturday.

On the other side, it's unlikely that Diaz will get released over one test, unless Diaz's failure to appear at two pre-UFC 137 press conferences and nearly missing a UFC 137 conference call have left UFC President Dana White a little bit more than just "beyond disappointed".

Additionally, MMA Junkie reports that Diaz will have an opportunity to answer the complaint on February 22nd, the Wednesday that falls on the week of UFC 144, when NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer will ask the commission to uphold Diaz's suspension until the formal hearing in April.