Former UFC middleweight king Anderson Silva (pictured) is adamant, despite what the results from January 9th’s UFC 183 pre-fight drug test revealed, he did not take any performance-enhancing drugs ahead of last Saturday’s unanimous decision victory over Nick Diaz.
The UFC confirmed Tuesday that the most decorated champion in company history had flunked his out-of-competition drug exam administered by the Nevada Athletic Commission for two banned substances – Drostanolone metabolites, which is an anabolic steroid. It has also been learned that traces of Androsterone, a form of endogenous testosterone.
Silva appears to be as shocked as the rest of the MMA world was when news broke of his positive screening. The 39-year-old released a brief statement Wednesday via co-manager Jorge Guimares professing his innocence.
Here are Silva’s comments (courtesy of MMAJunkie.com):
I’ve been competing in this sport for a very long time. This is my 19th fight in the UFC. I have been thoroughly tested many times and have never had a positive drug test.
I have not taken any performance-enhancing drugs. My stances on drug is, and will always be, the same. I am an advocate for a clean sport.
I’m consulting with my advisers right now to explore all my options and intend to fight this allegation and clear my name. I will not make any further comments until my team advises me to do so.
Silva came back from a devastating fractured shin that kept him sidelined for 13 months to face Diaz.
“The Spider” had never failed a drug test during his professional career until now.
The NAC will have to discuss possible punishment for Silva and whether to overturn his win to a no contest.