Nick Diaz may wind up back in the Octagon a lot sooner than anyone expected, as his attorneys are currently in settlement talks with the Nevada Athletic Commission to drastically reduce the suspension given the former UFC title challenger.
Diaz was suspended five years by the commission over a disputed drug test failure for marijuana, following a farcical hearing in which the commission members seemed to make things personal in their disciplinary action. Late Tuesday, Diaz posted a photo to Instagram that said talks are currently going well, and according to attorney Amy Dardashtian, Diaz’s return could potentially come by sometime next year.
#NickDiaz in settlement talks with NSAC. Sources say best case scenario, he could be back in the Octagon as early as summer. @InsideMMAaxstv
— Amy Dardashtian (@AmyDardashtian) October 28, 2015
Nothing has been finalized, but there’s still time for something to be done without it going to court, as the commission has yet to issue their final written disciplinary decision despite the September vote.
Penick’s Analysis: If they’ve been made to realize how off-base their actions were, or if they’re just succumbing to pressure from the mass of negative reaction to the move, it’s good that they’re at least conversing with Diaz’s side to resolve it without the legal system needing to be engaged. As they haven’t yet written out official discipline, it appears there’s time to change things up before that suspension is in place; hopefully Diaz is able to come to some agreement to circumvent that five year term and get him back fighting again.
[Nick Diaz art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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