Nate Diaz believes he is out of next Saturday’s UFC 244 main event fight with Jorge Masvidal.
Diaz went on social media to proclaim his innocence from a failed drug test, stating that it was due to a tainted supplement.
“I’m not gonna make it out to NYC for fight week next week because they say I tested with elevated levels that they say might be from some tainted supplements,” Diaz wrote on Twitter. “I call false on that cause I only take Whole Food or natural food supplements. I don’t even eat meat.”
Diaz and Masvidal are scheduled to meet in New York City from Madison Square Garden. The UFC created a special one-time “BMF” belt to be handed to the winner.
Nate Diaz Claims Someone Is Messing With His Test Results
“So until UFC, USADA or whoever is (expletive) with me fixes it, I won’t be competing,” Diaz said. “I’m not gonna play their game and try and hide it or keep quiet, as they suggested. I’m not gonna have my name tainted as a cheater like these other (expletive) who keep quiet until after the fight just so that they can get paid.
“I don’t give a (expletive) about some money over my dignity and my legacy. I’m not playing along with this bullshit. I’m not staying quiet and figuring it out after the fight. That’s cheating.”
Your all on steroids not me pic.twitter.com/ykrZmRIoPS
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) October 24, 2019
Jorge Masvidal Still Wants To Face Nate Diaz
There has been no word from the UFC regarding the bout. Masvidal appears set to still fight Diaz next week, responding via social media.
“You not the baddest mofo in the game (I am) but you are one of the cleanest mofo’s,” Masvidal wrote on Twitter. “I’ll see you Nov. 2. I know your name is clean. I don’t need USADA to tell me shit.”
You not the baddest mofo in the game (i am) but you are one of the cleanest mofo’s @NateDiaz209 I’ll see you nov 2. I know your name is clean. I don’t need @usantidoping to tell me shit!
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) October 24, 2019
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has offered to step in and face Masvidal, and other reports have stated Leon Edwards would be brought in for the bout. He is expected to defend his title later this year against Colby Covington.
I’ll fight in Nov and Dec. that’s what a BMF does now come see me!! #THECHAMP #MSG @danawhite @danawhite @AliAbdelaziz00
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) October 24, 2019
ESPN’s Ariel helwani believes that the fight could still take place between Diaz and Masvidal. He made an appearance on SportsCenter to discuss the news.