The Nevada State Athletic Commission has come down hard on Anderson Silva for testing positive for banned substances after his UFC 183 bout.
The commission suspended and fined the former UFC middleweight champion on Thursday for failing two drug tests around his Jan. 31 fight against Nick Diaz. The suspension is for one year. Silva was fined his winning bonus and 30 percent of the fight purse, which comes to a total of $380,000. He also was stripped of his victory, which is now considered a no contest.
Silva and his team blamed a tainted sexual-enhancement drug for the positive results. He failed a test that was administered on Jan. 9 after he tested positive for Drostanolone and Androstane. Then he failed a post-fight test when he tested positive for Drostanolone, Oxazepam and Temazepam.
“Given the testimony we heard today it’s quite evident there are some major inconsistencies in what I’ve heard and the testimony I’ve heard,” Nevada State Athletic Commission chairman Francisco Aguilar said of Silva, via Damon Martin of FOXSports.com. “For that reason, I would actually proceed with going on the higher end for a penalty.
“I think there’s been very similar instances where we’ve had these types of situations, and when the fighter does come forward and is consistent in his testimony and takes some responsibility and shows some remorse — but I don’t think that exists today.”
Silva’s suspension is retroactive to UFC 183 and runs until Jan. 31, 2016.
Thumbnail photo via Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports Images
