Diaz says he won't fight Masvidal after positive test, blasts UFC and USADA
Warning: Story contains coarse language
Nate Diaz announced Thursday that he won't fight in the main event of UFC 244 against Jorge Masvidal after being told that he tested positive with "elevated levels" from what may be tainted supplements.
Diaz voiced his frustrations on Twitter, blasting the UFC and USADA for his test results.
Your all on steroids not me pic.twitter.com/ykrZmRIoPS
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) October 24, 2019
"I only take Whole Food or natural food supplements," Diaz said in the tweet. "I don't even eat meat. So until UFC, USADA, or whoever is FUCKING with me fixes it, I won't be competing. 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 motherfuckers who keep quiet until after the fight just so that they can get paid. Fuckin cheaters.
"I don't give a fuck 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."
Masvidal also appeared to question the validity of USADA's testing and backed his opponent.
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
Diaz's fight against Masvidal was set for Nov. 2, with the "Baddest Motherfucker" title up for grabs.
Though the main event appeared in jeopardy following the tweet, Diaz has yet to be suspended, a source told ESPN's Ariel Helwani. There's increased optimism the bout won't be canceled after all, though hurdles remain, Helwani notes.
Masvidal has seen his popularity surge since knocking out Ben Askren in five seconds with a flying knee in July. Diaz, meanwhile, returned from a three-year absence in August, defeating Anthony Pettis by unanimous decision at UFC 241.
The promotion has yet to announce that Diaz has been pulled from the bout. A middleweight fight between Kelvin Gastelum and Darren Till is currently slated as the co-main event.