Updated 07:07 AM EST, Thu, Nov 21, 2024

Ronda Rousey Finds No Reason for Weed-Testing, Calls Nick Diaz's Exile 'Unfair'

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MMA fighter Ronda Rousey expressed opposition on UFC fighters being tested for weed after Nick Diaz was slapped with a five-year suspension when he tested positive for the substance.

At a press conference in Melbourne, the female UFC champion opened up about Diaz's suspension, according to Yahoo Sports.

"There's no reason that we should be tested for weed. It shouldn't be involved at all. Nick is a really close and dear friend of mine so of course I'm going to defend him. It's so unfair," Rousey added.

An earlier Yahoo Sports report said the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) released the ruling after Diaz failed a marijuana test last January.

NSAC chair Francisco Aguilar and commission members Skip Avansino, Pat Lundvall and Anthony A. Marnell III reportedly gave a unanimous vote to suspend Diaz for five years and fine him 33 percent of the $500,000 he earned during his fight with Anderson Silva at UFC 183.

This was even considered as a lighter punishment as commission member Lundvall suggested a lifetime suspension.

Rousey noted that she is definitely against testing for weed.

"It's not a performance-enhancing drug and it has nothing to do with athletic competition; it's only tested for political reasons. They say, 'It's only for your safety to keep you from hurting yourself.' You know what, then why don't they test us for all the other things that could possibly hurt us, that we could be under the influence of when we're out there?" Rousey added.

The female fighter even compared using steroids to smoking weed

"Whereas a guy who could hurt someone so much that he could've died in there [and] he gets a slap on the wrist! It's not fair. It's not fair at all. It doesn't make me a bad person for saying it, I just can't believe it's not being said more," she added.

In a separate MMA Fighting report, Rousey said this test invades the privacy of a fighter and added that she will defend Diaz since he is her close friend.

The same report added that this is the third time Diaz violated Nevada rules since he tested positive in 2007 and 2012 and also served suspensions for each offense.

Meanwhile, UFC president Dana White also claimed that five years could be "a little rough" for Diaz.

"I would imagine if they suspended him for five years and [fined him] $150,000, it's more than just the marijuana. That just doesn't make sense," White said in the MMA Fighting report.

Diaz's legal counsel Lucas Middlebrook earlier said that they will appeal Diaz's suspension saying that the NSAC's decision was not based on facts nor evidence.

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