Nate Diaz Reveals Failed Drug Test, Says He's Out of UFC 244

Nate Diaz hit Twitter on Thursday to say he won't be going to New York City to fight Jorge Masvidal next week at UFC 244. Diaz claimed he was notified he tested with "elevated levels" of a banned substance and further claimed that was impossible and that he won't be competing. It wasn't clear if the UFC is pulling him from the card or if he's pulling himself.

Here's his tweet and, as a journalist, I personally apologize for the grammar within his post:

In the statement, Diaz railed against steroid users and claims, "I only take Whole Food or natural food supplements. I don't even eat meat." I guess that's supposed to take away any chance he may have taken a tainted supplement. Diaz has long claimed all UFC fighters -- other than himself -- are on steroids.

Diaz and his brother Nick are notorious for no-showing events and being incredibly difficult to deal with. We'll see if Nate sticks to his threat of not showing up for what should be a really nice payday at UFC 244. That is, unless this is really the UFC telling him he's off the card. Diaz's statement makes it seem like a personal choice.

Diaz and Masvidal have been on a collision course since August when Diaz dominated Anthony Pettis by unanimous decision. That came a month after Masvidal knocked out Ben Askren five seconds into their UFC 239 bout.

Diaz's win over Pettis came nearly three years after his last fight in 2016. In that fight, Diaz lost a majority decision to Conor McGregor. McGregor has announced his intention to return to UFC early in 2020, and Diaz is a potential future opponent of his.