With 25 percent of NSAC fine paid, UFC's Nick Diaz enters payment plan for remaining $75,000

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has set up a payment plan for Nick Diaz’s recent fine.

NSAC officials confirmed with MMAjunkie that the commission and Diaz, who still owes $75,000 of a $100,000 fine, have accepted a settlement agreement.

It could open the door for Diaz (26-9 MMA, 7-6 UFC), who hasn’t competed since suffering a unanimous-decision loss to Anderson Silva (33-8 MMA, 16-4 UFC) at UFC 183 in January 2015, to return to the cage.

UFC President Dana White recently said Diaz “wants to fight” and is “ready to go.” However, the 33-year-old fighter still needs to pay the remainder of his fine, which was issued after he tested positive for marijuana metabolites (Silva also tested positive for banned substances, and the fight was later overturned and ruled a no-contest).

Diaz originally was handed a five-year suspension and $165,000 fine, but after several months of settlement negotiations, he had his penalty reduced to an 18-month suspension and $100,000 fine.

According to the settlement agreement (read the agreement via .pdf), Diaz must make a minimum monthly payment of $1,000 on the $75,00 balance. If he makes just the minimum payment, he’ll pay off the outstanding balance in January 2023. However, if Diaz fights “in Nevada or in any other jurisdiction” before then, he has 90 days from the time of the fight to pay off the remaining balance in full.

Diaz must also pass drug tests 30, 15 and three days prior to his next fight in Nevada, and he must file an application for a license to fight at least 30 days before the bout.

The NSAC could issue a new disciplinary action if Diaz fails to comply with terms of the payment plan.

If Diaz does return to the cage, he has no shortage of potential opponents. UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has called for a fight with Diaz, as have middleweight champ Michael Bisping, ex-welterweight titleholder Georges St-Pierre and vet Gegard Mousasi.

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