Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal will square off in a tantalising fight at UFC 244 next month after the former was cleared of any doping allegations (Match betting – Masvidal 4/7, Diaz 11/8).
Diaz released a statement on Thursday claiming that the fight, scheduled for November 2 in New York, was off after suggesting he had failed a doping test.
The Stockton-born welterweight took to Twitter to say he had been told he tested with “elevated levels” of LGD-4033.
He was firm in his denial of the findings, claiming he “only takes Whole Food of natural food supplements” and stated he would not “have my name tainted as a cheater”.
But less than 24 hours later, to the delight of UFC fans worldwide, the fight has been given the green light.
UFC said in a statement: “Mr Diaz has not committed an anti-doping policy violation, has not been provisionally suspended and is not subject to any sanctions.”
The company said that an out of competition test carried out by the US Anti-Doping Authority on October 24 found small quantities of LGD-4033.
However, it was deemed the amount of the substance, which can be used to increase testosterone, was “roughly” 10,000 times lower than one LGD-4033 therapeutic dose.
Next month’s fight offers Diaz, ranked #6 in the welterweight division, the chance to edge up the standings.
Masvidal sits at #3 following successive knockout victories over Darren Till and Ben Askren and the UFC 244 headliner is shaping up to be an exciting affair.
Till will have the opportunity to get his career back on track, having lost back-to-back fights to Tyron Woodley and Masvidal, when he faces Kelvin Gastelum on the undercard (Match betting – Gastelum 4/7, Till 11/8).
Meanwhile, Stephen Thompson lines up against Vicente Luque in the welterweight division and heavyweight pair Derrick Lewis and Blagoy Ivanov take to the octagon.
