By: Joyce Lynda Valdes

A BRIEF SUMMARY TO CATCH YOU UP ON YOUR NICK DIAZ ADDICTION:

The week began with an uproarious debate amongst MMA fans arguing about Carlos Condit winning a Unanimous Decision over Nick Diaz at UFC 143. The controversy fueled by Condit himself admitting after watching footage, that the fight was closer than he initially thought. By mid-week Diaz’s manager, Cesar Gracie began tweeting at Dana White asking for a rematch, suggesting Diaz would come out of his retirement and fight Condit, even for free. Then suddenly all parties seemed in agreement for Diaz vs. Condit II. But by late Wednesday evening all hopes were dashed with a simple statement from Gracie, that the rematch was off the table without any explanation. Questions of why swirled about until the next afternoon when NSAC announced that Nick Diaz failed his UFC 143 pre-fight drug test by testing positive for marijuana metabolites. Dana White released the statement, he was “beyond dissapointed.” NSAC Executive Director, Keith Kizer spelled out the next steps Diaz will have to take after receiving the commission’s complaint, which has been mailed out to him. Kizer explained:

There’s been no finding against him. He’ll have ample opportunity to respond to the complaint and then we’d put it on for a hearing at a time that works for him as well as for the Attorney General’s office.

Kizer speculates that a hearing for Diaz should take place in April. If Diaz is found guilty, the commission will pose an appropriate disciplinary action. Fans and media are already predicting a pending punishment will include about a year’s suspension and 20 percent of his fight purse.

*Editorial Note: I’m gonna go ahead and believe Nick Diaz is innocent until proven guilty, but to play devil’s advocate…I will say, he is a well-known avid marijuana user and the stuff can stay in the body up to 90 days for habitual users, so yeah he probably did use at some point before the fight. However, I will give the benefit of the doubt that he didn’t smoke say…days or even weeks before the event, but perhaps it was a lingering dose from a post UFC 137 celebration or maybe, he needed something to get his appetite going for a big Thanksgiving meal. (Sigh) If Diaz faces a long suspension, we will definitely have time to get excited for Georges St. Pierre vs. Carlos Condit…in about 10 months. It will be pretty sad to see the Welterweight Division gold on hold for so long.

Meanwhile, even GSP is hoping to see Nick Diaz back in the Octagon soon.

NATE DIAZ VS. JIM MILLER LINES OPEN:

Onto betting odds new with the younger Diaz brother, Nate Diaz who headlines UFC on Fox 3 this Cinco de Mayo in New Jersey against Jim Miller, and opens as the (+200) underdog. That’s a sizable dog value, so if you’ve got your pick on Diaz, lay down the cash now as the lines will definitely move as this bout gets closer.

JUNIOR ASSUNCAO’S FUTURE ON HOLD:

Biggest confusion of the week has been over the UFC’s release (or not) of Featherweight, Junior Assuncao who was notified by his manager that he was cut from the promotion just minutes after his UFC 143 Unanimous Decision loss to Ross Pearson. Assuncao’s manager was apparently told the division was overloaded and Assuncao would have to wait seven months for another fight, therefore he was being cut. Assuncao says he already has offers to fight in other promotions, but has not signed any new agreements, because he has yet to receive official notice of his release from the UFC.

SILVA AND SONNEN VERBAL WAR CONTINUES:

Taking backseat this week to the Diaz-GSP-Condit controversy was the Anderson Silva-Chael Sonnen feud. I suppose it was Silva’s turn to throw a verbal jab as he did on UFC Tonight by telling correspondent, Ariel Helwani he didn’t like Sonnen’s fight with Michael Bisping for UFC on Fox 2 and that “Chael needs to train. No more talk, train” Sonnen was quick to respond via Twitter with

SEVERAL TEAM AND MANAGEMENT SHAKE-UPS:

In a roundup of departure news: after his UFC 143 victory, Josh Koscheck announced he left his longtime team at American Kickboxing Academy due to the poor attitude of the gym’s head coach, Javier Mendez. Michael Bisping also announced his departure from Wolfslair MMA Academy.

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has parted ways with manager, Eduardo Alonso and Jose Aldo will no longer be under management of Ed Soares. Soares spoke to MMAFighting about the sudden split:

It wasn’t really much of anything, other than his coach, who used to be his manager, felt like he didn’t need our services. It pretty much was one of those things.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Lorenzo Fertitta tweeted plans for Cain Velasquez vs. Frank Mir and Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin III with no dates attached.

Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber III is set for July 7th at UFC 148.

Dustin Poirier vs. Chan Sung Jung “The Korean Zombie” will headline UFC on Fuel TV 3 on May 15th.