Video: Roy Nelson discusses Nick Diaz suspension, says marijuana can help in camp

LAS VEGAS – Next week the attention turns to UFC Fight Night 75 and Roy Nelson’s headliner with Josh Barnett. This week, though, the veteran heavyweight discussed the big topic: Nick Diaz’s recent suspension.

While in LAS Vegas for a media luncheon ahead of UFC Fight Night 75, which takes place Sept. 26 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, Nelson was asked about Diaz.

Nelson, (20-11 MMA, 7-7 UFC), who’s ranked No. 14 in the NOS Energy Drink MMA heavyweight rankings, meets No. 10-ranked Barnett (33-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at the event. It’s a big fight and televised on FOX Sports 1, but like many other fighters this week, Nelson discussed this week’s big topic.

Earlier this week the NSAC suspended Diaz (27-9 MMA, 7-7 UFC) five years and fined him $165,000 for a failed marijuana test stemming from his January bout with Anderson Silva (33-6 MMA, 16-2 UFC) at UFC 183. The 32-year-old had tested positive for the banned substance twice in the past, and his third offense was met with one of the harshest punishments handed out by the NSAC.

While many MMA supporters have questioned the need to even test for marijuana, Nelson provided a contrarian view.

“When you smoke marijuana or take marijuana in, a lot of people don’t realize it actually allows you to perform more through injuries and pain,” he said. “It’s kind of like taking pain pills. … There are a lot of different things physically that marijuana actually helps you during camp.

“Yes, if you go smoke a joint and fight on that day while you’re high, probably not going to work. But throughout camp, it can make you get through some (tough) camp days. Not that I partake. Just saying.”

But did Diaz’s punishment fit the crime? Nelson wrestles with the question in the above video. Check it out.

And for more on UFC Fight Night 75, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.