Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva failed his post fight drug test at UFC 183 and this is following the Brazilian testing positive for a banned substance in an out of competition drug test on January 9.
The second failed drug test was confirmed by the Nevada Athletic Commission prior to their monthly meeting today in Las Vegas.
Silva tested positive for the anabolic steroid Drostanolone on January 9 and he also tested positive for the same steroid in his post fight test on January 31.
In addition to testing positive for Drostanolone, Silva also tested positive for Oxazepam and Temazepam in his post fight drug test and this drug test followed Silva’s January 19 drug test coming back clean.
According to Drugs.com, Oxazepam is used to treat anxiety and “it may also be used to treat alcohol withdrawal. Oxazepam is a benzodiazepine. It works by affecting the brain to reduce nervous tension. Temazepam is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause sleep problems.”
Prior to the Nevada Athletic Commission meeting today, Executive Director Bob Bennett gave a statement to Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com.
“I can’t speak for the (NSAC) Chairman nor can I speak for the commissioners,” Bennett told ESPN.com. “But something I find particularly concerning is that he tested positive on Jan. 9th and then he tested negative on Jan. 19th. If he took this orally, it only stays in your system 5-to-7 days.
“So, obviously, he used it sometime around Jan. 9th and then he used it shortly before the night of the fight. Whether the commission finds this egregious — that he tested positive twice out of three times — is up to them. I certainly find it concerning and unacceptable. It gives an unfair advantage to the person on that. God forbid, a serious injury were to occur to an opponent when someone is on something.”
When the news of Silva’s initial positive drug test became public, the former champion stated that he has not taken any performance enhancing drugs and he is an advocate for a clean sport.