Nate Diaz's choice of words on Thursday cost him $20,000 the next day.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced Friday both a fine and a three-month suspension for the fighter, stemming from using a homophobic slur on Twitter against fellow competitor Bryan Caraway.
The suspension would put Diaz on the shelf through Aug. 17. While it is likely not to delay his next scheduled fight, it does mean that during his suspension UFC won't book him for any requested paid personal appearances during the period.
"The language used in his tweet was regrettable, offensive and inconsistent with the values and culture of the organization, and is not tolerable," said the statement by Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC.
They also stated that the money will be donated to charity.
Diaz on Thursday wrote on twitter, "I feel bad for Pat Healy that they took a (sic) innocent mans money and I think the guy who took the money is the biggest f-g in the world."
Caraway was given a $65,000 bonus earlier this week for best submission at UFC 159 on April 27 in Newark, N.J. The night of the show, UFC President Dana White had earmarked the bonus to Pat Healy, who then failed his drug test taken the night of the show, for marijuana.
UFC company policy is bonus money is not paid until drug test results come in, and a drug test failure means the bonus is forfeited.
White in 2009 used the same word in an emotional diatribe against a reporter and a story, came under fire for it and immediately apologized. On several occasions, White has expressed the view that he realized it was a big mistake to use that word because of what is symbolizes to gays.
He has tried to push a strong gay tolerant agenda. It was most notable earlier this year with the positive portrayal in promoting Liz Carmouche, a gay fighter who headlined the company Feb. 23 pay-per-view show.
Diaz's manager, Mike Kogan, on Thursday night, defended his client's use of the word, stating that the Urban
Dictionary said the slur he used meant punk, and was not in reference to homosexuals.
Diaz is one of UFC's top lightweight fighters, but has lost his last two fights, including a championship match to Benson Henderson, and on April 20, lost to Josh Thomson by a second-round ref stoppage.
