Anderson Silva suspended one year for failing drug test
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has been suspended one year by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for failing a drug test.
Multiple banned substances were found in Silva's system before and after his unanimous-decision defeat of Nick Diaz at UFC 183. He was allowed to compete because the NSAC had not received the results prior to the fight. The commission cited inconsistencies in Silva's defense and testimony and a need for a fuller picture of what happened.
Silva was also fined $380,000, and his win over Diaz has been overturned to a no-contest. Silva's suspension is retroactive to Jan. 31, the date of the fight. Before he can be re-licensed to compete, he must submit a clean drug test. He must also reimburse the NSAC for attorney and testing fees.
With a 33-6 career record, the 40-year-old Silva has been considered one of the greatest UFC fighters ever. His camp has maintained his innocence. Silva's lawyer claims that a sexual performance enhancing product was tainted and led to his client's two positive tests for the performance enhancing drug Drostanolone. Before January, Silva had never failed a drug test in his career.
Post-fight drug tests found sleeping aid temazepam and anti-anxiety medication oxazepam in his system. The two substances are not illegal to use if disclosed on a pre-fight questionnaire and approved by commissioner Jeff Blatnick, which Silva did not do.
"I am human and made mistakes," Silva told the commission through a translator, according to ESPN. "It definitely was a mistake. If I had known this supplement that I was taking for something else would have caused this sort of problem, I never would have taken it."
• Lawyer: Sex drugs led to Silva's positive tests
- Jeremy Woo
