There's no doubt - in the first round of their fight on Saturday - Conor McGregor busted up Nate Diaz.
It was all superficial, though. McGregor had the precision, just not the power to do damage sufficient to knockout Diaz.
However, the damage affected by McGregor has been sufficient to see the 30-year-old suspended on medical grounds for the next six weeks.
The medical suspensions for UFC 196 were decided by the Nevada Athletic Commission. And it seems someone at the NAC has a real sense of humour. Either that or it's a complete coincidence that Nate Diaz has been suspended until April 20th or 4/20 to express it in North American terms.
According to the NAC, Diaz is:
Suspended until 04/20, no contact until 04/05 due to laceration over right eye.
That date is a major holiday for those enthusiastic about the use of cannabis. Neither Nate Diaz or his brother Nick have ever been shy about their proclivity for the use of the drug.
In September of last year, Nick Diaz was suspended for five years after testing positive for marijuana following his comeback UFC fight against Anderson Silva at UFC 183. Upon appeal, which was backed by a massive outcry of objection to the ban from UFC fans, Diaz-the-elder had his suspension reduced to 18 months. He can return to UFC action in August.
Conor McGregor has received no medical suspension following his defeat.
Joe Rogan, for his part, rather enjoyed the coincidence of Diaz's suspension.
Picture credit: Mark J. Rebilas / SPORTSFILE
