By Ralph Gonzalez

It was a brilliant performance by Stockton, California’s Nick Diaz (15-6) as he routed the highly regarded Japanese MMA star Takanori Gomi at Pride 33 in February. The huge upset would send notice to the Mixed Martial Arts community that Diaz was back in a big way.

Unfortunately for the (Cesar Gracie) Jiu-Jitsu black belt and professional boxer, the win would later be declared a no-contest by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after their tests revealed a high level of marijuana in his system.

“I feel it was done out of ignorance. The win was taken away from me because I smoke weed and that’s stupid,” said the 24-year old Diaz. “I’m a fighter and a martial artist. I feel martial artists and all artists in general could benefit from smoking weed and we should be able to smoke it all we want.”

Diaz has proven himself in the past by impressively knocking out Robbie Lawler and most recently besting Josh Neer, Mike Aina and the aforementioned Gomi.

“I already know that I’m the best fighter in the world on a technical level. It’s fine that they took the Gomi win away from me. *^*^ them!” Diaz said. “I know that I won. It’s only going to make me strive harder to be the best.”

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