Diaz ban could be reduced to 18 months

Nick Diaz. Photo from UFC.com.

Beleaguered welterweight Nick Diaz could see his five-year ban be reduced to 18 months if a settlement is reached.

Suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission last September after his third marijuana violation in the state, Diaz has his representatives working on a compromise with the NAC to downgraded the penalty to just one and a half-years and just a $100,000 fine from $165,000, according to a report of MMA Fighting.

That means Diaz could return to the Octagon at the end of July next at the earliest, 18 months after his last fight at UFC 183 against Anderson Silva.

Talks between the two camps have been “significant” and “positive,” based on the report, and was triggered by a series of events: a petition sent to the White House to overturn the five-year ban after a successful 100,000-signature campaign and an expected protracted legal case.

Famed counsel Lucas Middlebrook is leading the Diaz’ case, together with UFC’s lawfirm Campbell & Williams.