Nate Diaz Receives Public Warning from USADA for Using Vape Pen After UFC 202

Nate Diaz has accepted a public warning from USADA after admitting that he used the prohibited substance cannabidiol in-competition at UFC 202.

After a majority decision loss to Conor McGregor on Aug. 20 in Las Vegas, Diaz was seen using a vaping pen at the post-fight press conference. The Stockton, Calif., native admitted that the pen contained cannabidiol oil.

"It helps with the healing process and inflammation, stuff like that,” Diaz said. “So you want to get these for before and after the fights, training. It'll make your life a better place.”

Cannabidiol is a specified substance in the class of Cannabinoids and prohibited only in-competition under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy. In competition is defined as “the period starting six hours prior to the commencement of the scheduled weigh-in and ending six hours after the conclusion of the bout.”

However, Diaz will not be subject to any suspension or fines due to his violation.

“As part of its results management process, USADA gathered information and communicated with the athlete about the circumstances of his use of Cannabidiol on August 20, 2016. USADA concluded that Diaz mistakenly believed that the in-competition period ended after he provided a post-bout sample to USADA,” a USADA release stated. “In addition, the in-competition urine and blood samples provided by Diaz before his admitted use were analyzed and reported as negative for all prohibited substances, including Cannabinoids. Based on these circumstances, USADA determined that a public warning was an appropriate response to Diaz’s use of a specified substance during the in-competition period.”