Nate Diaz will have to continue fighting without his older brother and idol Nick in his corner.
Nick had been missing from Nate’s corner for his most recent fights due to the 18-month suspension he was serving after testing positive for marijuana last January.
That ban, whittled down from five years, came to an end on 1 August. But the older Diaz is apparently still suspended as he has not fully paid the fine that accompanied the punishment handed down by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
That means, unless Nick forks out the balance of his $100,000 fine, he will not be allowed to corner his younger brother in the main event of UFC 202 on Saturday night.
“As of this date Nick Diaz is not permitted to work the corner of his brother Nate because he is still suspended,” NSACÂ executive director Bob Bennett told FOX Sports.
“I contacted the UFC two-to-three weeks ago regarding Nevada Administrative Code 467 in an effort to clarify and confirm the conditions that would allow Nick to work Nate’s corner. The Nevada State Athletic Commission made a concerted effort to keep everyone involved in the fight regarding our Codes as we thought Nate would request his brother to work his corner. Additionally we provided them information as to who to contact at the Attorney General’s Office in an effort for Nick to be in compliance with his written settlement/agreement. I was informed by the UFC they contacted Nick and/or his manager and advised them what our regulations require to accommodate the possible request.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/nkKTClJXZw/?taken-by=nickdiaz209&hl=en
Nate faces off with Conor McGregor for the second time this weekend and, if he is to make it 2-0 against the Irishman, he will have to once again do it without the man who got him interested in fighting sat in his corner.
The Ultimate Fighter season 5 winner will just have to make do with the advice of boxing coach Richard Perez and Jake Shields in between rounds.
“Although the term of Mr. Diaz’s suspension expired on August 1, 2016, he remains on suspension pursuant to term 1.03 of his Settlement Agreement because he has failed to either pay his fine in full (his balance is $75,000) or enter into an approved payment plan,” Bennett added.
“As such, the prohibitions of NAC 467.895 apply to Mr. Diaz at this time.”
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