/cdn.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/982758/20ka9sn.jpg)
If it was up to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Interim Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit, his next fight would be a score-settling rematch against Nick Diaz.
Not because the mixed martial majority was butt-hurt over "The Natural Born Killer's" unanimous decision win against the Stockton slugger (they were), but because "he wanted it," and was ready to prove that he could do it again.
Hopefully he still feels that way in 2013 after Diaz finishes up what's expected to be a yearlong suspension for drugs of abuse.
The 170-pound trash-talker was popped for "marijuana metabolites" following the UFC 143 pay-per-view (PPV) event back on Feb. 4, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada, effectively eliminating himself from a Condit rematch as well as the division title chase.
Live by the sword, die by the sword, according to Condit. Hear that and more from the Interim champ (via SI.com) after the jump.
"I don't care. The thing about it is, it's something they test for. It's against the Nevada [State] Athletic Commission [rules]. I don't really consider it to be a performance-enhancing drug, but the fact is, they're testing for it. And you know they're testing for it. Whatever you do in between camps, if you know they're testing for this stuff then you've got to figure something out. In the past, he's said, 'Oh, I can smoke and I can pass these tests no problem.' That attitude kind of came back and bit him in the ass."
For Diaz, the infraction marked the second time he's been popped for the green stuff in Nevada, having flunked his exam after strangling Takanori Gomi at PRIDE 33 nearly five years ago.
While Diaz has the right to appeal, he's expected to face a steep monetary fine, as well as a lengthy suspension that could last as long as one year.
As for Condit?
He's expected to fight Georges St. Pierre later this year to unify the titles, but if the Canadian is in no "Rush" to return from rehabbing his surgically repaired knee, there's always that rematch against Jake Ellenberger.
Stay tuned.