NSAC will not penalize Nate Diaz for potential CBD pen

In the main event of UFC 202, Stockton superstar Nate Diaz squared off against Conor McGregor in a highly anticipated welterweight showdown. McGregor and Diaz went the distance, putting on what many believe to be one of the best fights of all time.

Following the fight, Nate Diaz appeared at the UFC 202 post-fight press conference with what many initially believed was a ‘vape’. Diaz was quick to explain that he was actually smoking a CBD pen.

This led many to wonder if Diaz would be flagged by USADA for the incident, or if the NSAC would hand down a suspension for what would undoubtably lead to a failed drug test.

After a brief period of waiting, it has been revealed per Ariel Helwani that the NAC will not be penalizing Diaz for the incident. With that being said, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is still looking into the matter.

It is important to mention however that USADA can’t hand down a suspension directly. If they were to attempt to punish Diaz for the incident, the punishment would be determined, and handed down, by the NSAC.

NAC tells me they will not impose a penalty on Nate Diaz for “vape-gate”, since it happened post-drug test. USADA still looking into it.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 8, 2016

There’s been no word yet as to when Diaz will return to the Octagon following his majority decision loss to McGregor. While he has been campaigning for an immediate trilogy fight with McGregor, UFC President Dana White has been adamant that a trilogy fight doesn’t make sense right now.