Nick Diaz suspension reduced following settlement agreement with NSAC

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight Nick Diaz, who was slapped with a five-year suspension from mixed martial arts (MMA) after a failed drug test at UFC 183, had his sentence reduced by Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) earlier today (Tues., Jan, 12, 2016) in Las Vegas.

Not surprisingly, the commission raced through his portion of the meeting, broadcast live on UFC Fight Pass, and quickly moved on to other items. Diaz will now be suspended 18 months (dating back to Jan. 31, 2015) and fined $100,000 for testing positive for marijuana, according to MMA Fighting.

Attorneys for the former welterweight No. 1 contender were able to negotiate settlement terms after the regulatory body got creamed by the combat sports media -- as well as most of its fighters -- since the lengthy punishment read more like a personal vendetta than established policy.

A return to the Octagon could happen as early as August, which means we can spend the next few months playing matchmaker.

Have at it.