Dana White on Nick Diaz suspension: 'I have to figure out all the facts first'

The MMA world has been largely centered around the 5 year suspension issued to Nick Diaz by the Nevada Athletic Commission following the UFC star's third marijuana-related infraction in the state. There's been an outpouring of support for Diaz from both fans and fighters, several of whom have pledged not to fight in Nevada as a result of the commission's controversial decision.

Submission Radio was on hand to film the UFC 193 Q&A in Australia, with headliner Ronda Rousey and Dana White on stage, and one of the questions asked pertained to the Diaz suspension. Dana White had largely stayed silent on the matter aside from one tweet, but he gave a more in-depth response on Thursday. Video of the response can be viewed at the top of the page, with the full accompanying transcript below:

"We've been here (Australia). When this thing went down, we've been here. And many people who know me and know the sport, I've been a very reactionary person in the past. I'm a little older and a little wiser now. I don't just react, I have to know all the facts. I don't know all the facts, you know. When you hear this - because it's so jarring when you hear this. It's like, wait a minute, this guy was suspended for five years and got a 150,000 dollar fine for marijuana? So you can completely take that out of context too, but that's his third offense. It's his third offense, and let's all be honest here, Nick Diaz doesn't exactly play by the rules. You know, listen, everybody would love to hang out and smoke weed all day and not play by the rules. It sounds awesome. It's sounds like, you know, it sounds like the great thing to do (laughs). But in reality, you can't do that, and especially when you're dealing with the government. Nick was also in a situation where Nick hadn't paid his taxes in a long time, you know. You can't do that either. So it has to be more than 'hey the guy smoked weed and...' - I don't know all the facts yet. We're leaving tomorrow morning. When I get home, I will hear all the facts. I promise you, you will hear from me soon on the Nick Diaz situation. I have to figure out all the facts first."