Nate Diaz openly smokes cannabis during UFC 263 press conference before Leon Edwards fight and Israel Adesanya can’t believe it

Nate Diaz has always marched to the beat of his own drum, and at UFC 263, the fighter is certainly making an impact again - this time by smoking cannabis at the press conference.

The event is going on in Glendale, Arizona, where marijuana is legal for recreational use, and Diaz took full advantage.

UFC VP of Athlete Health and Performance Jeff Novitzky confirmed the Arizona State Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission would be adapting rules for marijuana that are used in the UFC’s anti-doping program.

“Great working with AZ Commission, who are adopting our testing program/rules for this weekend,” Novitzky tweeted ahead of UFC 263 in Arizona.

“Only issue with marijuana (THC) for Saturday’s fights is don’t show up impaired or under the influence. How it should be!”

As you can imagine, Diaz was over the moon with these developments.

Meanwhile, middleweight champion Israel Adesanya couldn't believe his nose once he smelt what Diaz was up to.

The Stockton legend, who famously defeated Conor McGregor, takes on Britain’s Leon Edwards this weekend in a five-round contest.

Diaz lit up a joint on stage during the fighters’ press conference and he couldn’t have looked like he was enjoying himself any more.

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“That’s Kill_4209,” Diaz answered when asked what he was smoking. “That’s the chronic, right there baby. You already know what’s up.”

Diaz’s representatives told MMA Fighting on Thursday that Kill_4209 is his own strain of marijuana, for those wondering.

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That’s just his latest business venture as he also owns his a CBD company, Game Up Nutrition, and his own clothing line called .

Diaz returns to the octagon for the first time since his BMF encounter with Jorge Masvidal in late 2019 and he’s taking on a now perennial welterweight contender Edwards who has won eight fights in a row.

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“I believe just like how GSP () was doing his thing back in the day, I think he’s doing the same thing and not getting no love for it,” Diaz said of Edwards.

“So I’m pumped to fight a worthy opponent and that’s what I’m here for. I’m coming to win.”