Nate Diaz reacts to Ariel Helwani's take on Ali Abdelaziz deleting Tweet addressing Islam Makhachev's alleged IV infusion
Former UFC fighter Nate Diaz has reacted to a tweet from Ariel Helwani, which discussed Ali Abdelaziz's response to Islam Makhachev's IV use accusations.
Last weekend, Islam Makhachev successfully defended his lightweight title against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284. The bout was a stunning back-and-forth contest and highlighted why both men are considered to be two of the best fighters in the organization.
Following Makhachev's unanimous decision victory, however, fellow lightweight Dan Hooker took to Twitter to accuse the Russian champion of using intravenous (IV) therapy when he arrived in Australia.
"Dumb c*nt thinks he can fly to Australia hire a nurse to give him an I.V and we won't find out. Cheating dog."
Dumb cunt thinks he can fly to Australia hire a nurse to give him an I.V and we won’t find out. Cheating dog.
IVs are typically against the UFC's athletic policy, as they can be used to hide positive test results from the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Following the accusations surrounding Makahachev, his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, shared his own response on Twitter, however, he soon deleted it after potentially incriminating himself with the wrong information.
Ariel Helwani then responded to a fan who had taken a screenshot of the deleted tweet, where Abdelaziz claimed it was legal for fighters to take 2-3 litres of an IV. In contrast, the actual amount allowed in the UFC's policy is only 100 ml.
Helwani wrote:
"He deleted it because someone, I would think, told him he was incriminating himself with this tweet. You can't take 2-3 L by a professional or not. It's 100 ml per 12 hours (among other details). Massive difference."
Yes. He deleted it because someone, I would think, told him he was incriminating himself with this tweet. You can’t take 2-3 L by a professional or not. It’s 100 ml per 12 hours (among other details). Massive difference. twitter.com/jcontreras1212…
Fan favorite Nate Diaz, who has had plenty of his own run-ins with Ali Abdelaziz in the past, responded to Helwani's tweet in typical Stockton style by using a laughing face emoji at Abdelaziz's blunder.
@arielhelwani 😂
Islam Makhachev breaks silence on IV use allegations
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev finally spoke out in his own defense this week as he hoped to put to bed any allegations about using an IV.
The 31-year-old spoke to Red Corner MMA, where he was asked about Dan Hooker's accusations as well as the images of him appearing to have track marks on his arms in the UFC's promotional photos.
According to Makhachev, he was tested a total of four times by the UFC and USADA before and after the fight, and the bruised arms were from Australia's own athletic commission blood tests:
"The UFC works with the expert organization USADA. Before and after the fight I was tested four times in total. Somebody posted a picture with a bruise on my vein. Australia has its own commission that takes blood samples during fight week. They took my blood Wednesday and I had a UFC photoshoot Thursday. Fighters are trying to push a narrative, but the UFC and USADA have no issues with me."
Catch Islam Makhachev's comments here courtesy Red Corner MMA YouTube channel (1:30):