After Nate Diaz lost his UFC 202 match to Conor McGregor in Las Vegas on Saturday night, he took part in his obligatory press conference and raised a few eyebrows by openly puffing on a vape pen that was reportedly filled with cannabidiol, which is a marijuana extract oil. He also talked about why he was using it when a reporter asked him to explain his vaping. "It helps with the healing process and inflammation, stuff like that," he said. "So you want to get these for before and after the fights, training. It'll make your life a better place."
We won't argue with that, but we would question why Diaz felt the need to start using his vape pen minutes after his match with McGregor. Because while cannabidiol doesn't contain THC and doesn't cause psychoactivity, it's still on the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances. So according to a spokesperson for the agency who talked to MMA Fighting on Monday, Diaz is now being investigated for using his vape pen at the press conference. "I can confirm that USADA is aware of the situation and is currently gathering information in order to determine the next appropriate steps," the spokesperson said.
Since the press conference took place within six hours of McGregor and Diaz's fight, it is still considered to be "in competition," which, according to MMA Fighting, means Diaz could be hit with a punishment that could range from a public warning to a one-year suspension.
The results of a drug test that Diaz took prior to his fight with McGregor have not been made public yet, but the fact that he admitted to vaping during training while speaking at his press conference could be viewed as a positive test by the USADA. And it could end up being a very costly mistake by Diaz, who has never served a suspension during his 12-year MMA career.
