Nick Diaz Tests Positive: Why Diaz Testing Positive for Weed Isn't a Bad Thing

UFC welterweight Nick Diaz has tested positive for "marijuana metabolites" which will likely result in a stern suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commision—but this might actually be a good thing.

Nick Diaz is popular for two main reasons. 

The first reason is because of his entertaining fighting style. Diaz always fights to win—to finish his opponents and never seeks a decision; he tries to KO or submit his opponent from bell to bell. 

He's also fun to watch because he typically employs boxing (a discipline which many casual fans and many bloodthirsty hardcore fans can appreciate) rather than a more technical and some would say "boring" style like wrestling. 

In addition, his taunting of opponents throughout the fight also makes watching him a fun experience. 

This taunting ties into the second reason why fans love Diaz: His personality.

Diaz is a maverick, a rogue, a silver-tongued devil who people love to hate...or used to love to hate. 

Diaz's trash talk and brash antics once earned him mountains of scorn and virtually no praise. However, things started to change. 

As UFC welterweight champion Georges St.Pierre became more conservative (in his fighting style and in his personality; when was the last time you heard him give a candid answer and not some scripted PR crap?), fans began to turn away from him; he just wasn't real enough for people. 

Disaffected GSP fans turned to Diaz. Thus, the Stockton brawler became something of an anti-hero. People were enamored with him and lived vicariously through him. 

Joe Pencil-Pusher can't flip off his boss, beat up his co-workers, start fights, smoke weed constantly, and no-show whenever he feels like it. But Diaz can, and that's part of the reason why he became such a cult icon, he appealed to the iniquitous, sordid part of the everyman. 

How does this relate to Diaz's recent spot of trouble?

In many ways. 

First, Diaz was already a sort of martyr for judging reform in MMA. Legions of fans thought he really beat Carlos Condit at UFC 143; the bad decision hurt Diaz's pride but it further fed into the Nick Diaz myth.

Now that Diaz has been ousted (and will likely be suspended) for marijuana use a second time, it will benefit his reputation. 

Marijuana is an extremely popular drug in the Unites States and now Diaz will become a martyr for its legalization and recreational use. This will expand his status as a cult icon and an anti-hero to a significant degree; he will transcend simply being a fighter and will stand for so much more.

From a fight promotion standpoint, Diaz's failed drug test isn't an issue either. 

Yes, the potential rematch with Carlos Condit is scrapped but this isn't a big deal. Diaz can simply be given the winner of Condit vs. GSP after his pending suspension is over (assuming that Condit doesn't face any challengers from now to when GSP is healthy). 

The UFC will have an easy time selling either fight. GSP vs. Diaz will be easy to sell for their legitimate dislike. Condit vs. Diaz will be easy to sell because of the rematch angle. 

Thus, what seems calamitous at first is actually something quite profound and positive. Diaz will become more than a man; he'll become the icon for a cause, a hero, a person's hopes and dreams. All thanks to a plant.

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