It seems as though Anderson Silva isn’t going to go down without a fight. He has released a statement saying that he has never taken PEDs and that he has always been a clean athlete.
“I’ve been competing in this sport for a very long time. This is my nineteenth 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 stance on drugs is, and will always be, the same. I’m an advocate for a clean sport.
“I’m consulting with my advisors right now to explore all of 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.”
Earlier today the NAC (Nevada Athletic Commission) released a statement saying that Silva tested positive for two banned substances, not one as originally reported.
“I think it’s very unfortunate,” Bennett told MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani. “The UFC have made a tremendous effort to level the playing field in their fight against PEDs. Credit goes to them for doing the right thing based on principles and they continue to support our out-of-competition drug testing efforts.
“You can’t lose sight of all the other athletes that do what they are supposed to do and fight cleanly. The UFC deserves a great deal of credit for supporting the PED challenge that we currently have. It’s just unfortunate for all of us.”
The UFC released their own statement regarding Anderson Silva’s posititive test:
“On February 3, 2015, the UFC organization was notified by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that Anderson Silva tested positive for Drostanolone metabolites on his Jan. 9 out of competition drug test. UFC’s understanding is that further testing will be conducted by the Commission to confirm these preliminary results.
“Anderson Silva has been an amazing champion and a true ambassador of the sport of mixed martial arts and the UFC, in Brazil as well as around the world. UFC is disappointed to learn of these initial results.
“The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by its athletes.”
It looks as thought Silva did more harm to his legacy by coming back than he would have if he had retired after the horrific leg injury; no one could’ve ever predicted that.