UFC 183 headliners Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz both tested positive for banned substances in drug test administered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
The positive drug test results were revealed on Tuesday evening as Silva tested positive for Drostanolone metabolites in a out of competition test on January 9 and Diaz tested positive for marijuana following UFC 183.
Following the announcement of the positive drug test of Silva, the UFC released a statement concerning the former UFC middleweight champion.
“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,” the UFC statement said. “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.”
Silva trains out of Blackhouse and he joins teammates Kevin Casey and Brian Ortega who have tested positive for Drostanolone metabolites. Casey tested positive for the substance in July and was recently suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission for one year.
In addition to releasing a statement on the positive drug test of Silva, the UFC has also released a statement on Diaz.
“The UFC has been notified by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that Nick Diaz has tested positive for marijuana metabolites following his fight with Anderson Silva at UFC 183 on Jan. 31 in Las Vegas, Nev. The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by our athletes. As a result of his positive test, Diaz has been informed that he has violated the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC. The UFC organization will fully respect the Commission’s final decision relating to Diaz at a disciplinary hearing set for February 17.”
This is the third time that Diaz has tested positive for marijuana and it’s expected that both Silva and Diaz will be on the next Nevada Athletic Commission meeting on February 17.