‘UFC 196: McGregor Vs. Diaz’ Medical Suspensions Released — NSAC Has A Sense Of Humor Suspending Nate Diaz Until 4/20

On Saturday, March 5, 2016, thousands attended, while millions of others tuned in, to watch UFC 196: McGregor vs. Diaz. Going into the venue held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, most people already had their predictions pegged. However, it became a night of upsets as Miesha Tate defeated Holly Holm in her first title defense to become the new UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion while Nate Diaz defeated Conor McGregor, ending his winning streak at 15 fights.

Though the fact Nate Diaz and Miesha Tate defeated the favorites-to-win, Conor McGregor and Holly Holm, it is how they lost that is earning a lot of attention among the MMA community. “The Notorious” and “The Preacher’s Daughter” were felled by rear-naked chokes. The fact that such a submission move is extremely dangerous because it cuts oxygen from the brain is a major factor that determines when McGregor and Holm are cleared to return to MMA action.

Now the MMA community will know how long Conor McGregor and Holly Holm will be out. The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has released the medical suspensions list for UFC 196: McGregor vs. Holm. Apparently, they have a sense of humor, or at least someone is a reefer, as one of the fighters, Nate Diaz, is actually medically suspended until April 20, 2016. That’s right! Diaz is out until 4/20.

The medical suspension is almost too good to be true given the fact that Nate Diaz, along with his older brother Nick Diaz, have never been shy in admitting their indulgence to partake in marijuana, as reported by MMA Fighting. Every April 20 has become something of a cult holiday for marijuana users as it is known as the day marijuana users would join together to hit it up. Of course the date is only important because of the number which originally started with a time. Marijuana smokers often cite 4:20 p.m. as the universal time to take in cannabis.

As much as people want to find the humor that Nate Diaz will be out until April 20, 2016, NSAC does have a legitimate reason for Diaz’s medical suspension. During his fight against Conor McGregor, Diaz had way more scar tissue on his face, making it easier for McGregor to open him up. That proved true when Diaz suffered a laceration above his right eye.

• Nate Diaz: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days for right eye laceration.
• Ilir Latifi: Needs X-ray on left toe, if broken then suspended 180 days, or until cleared by doctor.
• Valentina Shevchenko: Suspended until 30 days with no contact for 21 days for left eye laceration.
• Siyar Bahadurzada: Must have jaw cleared by doctor or suspended 180 days; minimum suspension for 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
• Brandon Thatch: Needs X-ray on left foot, if broken then suspended 180 days, or until cleared by doctor; minimum suspension 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
• Nordine Taleb: Needs X-ray or MRI of left knee and must be cleared by doctor, or suspended 180 days.
• Erick Silva: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
• Marcelo Guimaraes: Needs X-ray or MRI of left knee and must be cleared by doctor, or suspended 180 days; minimum suspension 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
• Chas Skelly: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
• Justin Salas: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days for right eye laceration.
• Julian Erosa: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.

Ilir Latifi, Siyar Bahadurzada, Brandon Thatch, and Marcelo Guimares received the lengthiest medical suspension in which they may be out up to half a year. What might surprise some people is the fact that Conor McGregor and Holly Holm have no medical suspensions despite their losses. Take note that even though McGregor and Holm lost, they were technically not injured.

[Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images]