Yesterday the Nevada State Athletic Commission listened to Anderson Silvas presentation of his defense regarding his failed drug tests from UFC 183 last January.
Silva, suspended for steroids after testing positive for drostanolone metabolites, gave a testimony, embarrassing at times, where he stated his need for a sexual enhancement drug is what prompted the usage of the banned substance. Silva revealed that the drug was acquired in Thailand from a friend who brought it to him.
In the end, the Commission wasnt having it and they served him with a 12-month suspension, fines and overturned his win against Nick Diaz into a No Contest (NC).
Silva was fined the full $200,000 win purse and an additional 30 percent of the $800,000 fight purse, per Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com. Silva will be eligible to fight again on Feb. 1, 2016 per Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports.
The UFC’s Director of Public Relations Chris Costello provided a statement:
“Following the Nevada Athletic Commissions hearing today, Anderson Silva is required to serve a 12-month suspension from competition, retroactive from his last fight on January 31. At the conclusion of his suspension, Silva must present a clean test upon reapplication of a license before his next fight in Nevada. The UFC organization maintains a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by its athletes, and fully supports the Commissions ongoing efforts to ensure clean competition by all MMA athletes.
UFC recognizes Silva’s great career and looks forward to his return to the Octagon in 2016.”
Silva was attempting to rebound from two back-to-back losses, the only in his career, to UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman, the second of which resulted in a brutal leg injury for Silva.
Nick Diaz represented a super match of sorts where fans could finally see what it would look like for two of their favorite fighters to finally meet in battle. The pressure on Silva to remain the best highlight-reel producing performer at an older age were immense and that’s one possible theory for the usage of the performance enhancer. However, relating the banned substance to a sexual deficiency or enhancement want leaves a bad stain on an already shady scenario.
Now fans are left disgruntled at The Spider and wondering if the last time they saw him in the cage was the last time period.
