Mixed Martial Arts and UFC icon Nate Diaz did not pull any punches yesterday when he took challenge with the UFC’s launch of its “209 Drop” NFT assortment. The assortment featured Nate and his brother, fellow UFC fighter Nick Diaz, as a part of a particular 4/20 drop.
But removed from dope, Nate says the NFTs are “bullshit.”
“It’s shit like this why I need to get the fuck out of the sorry ass UFC. Didn’t you guys suspend nick for 5 years and fine me hella money for a vape pen?! Now you’re reaping the benefits. I hope nobody buys this bullshit,” Diaz tweeted in response.
NFTs are cryptographically distinctive tokens used to display possession over digital (and generally bodily) belongings. These belongings can take the type of art work, music, or in-game objects in video video games. In this case, the NFTs had been video information that includes moments from the Diaz brother’s fights within the UFC and a part of the bigger UFC Strike assortment. UFC Strike was launched in partnership with Dapper Labs, the corporate additionally accountable for sports activities NFT collectibles on the NBA Top Shop and NFL All Day platforms.
In August 2016, Nate Diaz got here beneath investigation by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on account of an impromptu vape pen promo throughout a post-fight press convention following his rematch with former Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor at UFC 202. Diaz mentioned on the time that he was solely smoking CDB oil.
“It helps with the healing process and inflammation, stuff like that,” Diaz mentioned. “So you want to get these for before and after the fights, training. It’ll make your life a better place.”
USADA issued a warning to Diaz in October 2016, however by 2018, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) eliminated Cannabidiol, higher often known as CBD, from its prohibited listing. The elder Diaz, Nick, was suspended for 5 years after testing constructive for marijuana in January 2015 and obtained a $165,000 nice by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Diaz’s criticism was seemingly meant to focus on the obvious hypocrisy of beforehand fining and suspending athletes over hashish use whereas now cashing in on these actions via promotional efforts like these new UFC-branded NFTs.
The challenge additionally possible has much less to do with NFTs and extra to do with Diaz’s at-times contentious relationship with the UFC, because the MMA promotion has acknowledged up to now that fighters obtain solely 50% of the sale of those UFC Strike NFTs.
“The reality is that this product is one where you take the UFC brand, you take the fighter’s likeness, you put them together and 1+1=4 or 5,” UFC Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Epstein informed Sportico in an interview final 12 months. “A 50-50 split makes sense. It’s fair, and it reflects what both sides are delivering to the product.”
It’s value noting that Diaz publicly requested the UFC to launch him from his contract final month. Calling out the sale of the UFC Strike NFTs could also be a method for the fighter to get the MMA promotion’s consideration.
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