#FreeNickDiaz: Fighters start hashtag, react to Diaz's 5-year ban
UFC welterweight Nick Diaz was handed a five-year ban from the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Monday, stemming from his failed drug test at UFC 183 in January.
Diaz, who stormed out of the hearing once the commissioners agreed on the suspension, wasn't the only one who thought the decision was excessive. Some of his fellow fighters came to his aid on Twitter to show their disgust with the ruling, starting the hashtag #FreeNickDiaz and even going as far as to start a White House petition.
Check out some of the best reactions:
#FreeNickDiaz 5 years is bogus
— Sergio Pettis (@sergiopettis) September 14, 2015
@nickdiaz209 has been suspended 5 years & fined $150,000 4 testing positive for Marijuana. #FreeNickDiaz #whatajoke pic.twitter.com/MDmLduoJ6A
— 'Rowdy' Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) September 14, 2015
Idk if I can get in trouble for this but @nickdiaz209 is my friend. Sign this petition and retweet. http://t.co/LXgIj5oCZE #FreeNickDiaz
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) September 14, 2015
I am a huge fan of @nickdiaz209 I want to fight him, I love watching him fight. I don't care if my opponent use marijuana. #FREENICKDIAZ
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) September 14, 2015
Absolutely ridiculous that @nickdiaz209 got suspended for five years for marijuana. Marijuana? Come on
— Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) September 14, 2015
If fighters want to take a stand , refuse to fight in Nevada. There will be nobody to take money from. #FreeNickDiaz
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) September 14, 2015
#FreeNickDiaz https://t.co/DYlkkmU5MJ
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) September 14, 2015
I can't even count how many #MMA fighters have popped for steroids and only got 6 months after pleading ignorance
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) September 14, 2015
@nickdiaz209 so wrong you fight a guy on roids then they take it out on you!!! #peopleschamp
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) September 14, 2015
don't condone ganja or any drugs but @nickdiaz209 does not deserve 5yr career ender when guys r doped up on peds pissing neon orange smh
— Truck Gordon (@TruckMMA_UFC) September 14, 2015
