Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has been suspended one year by the Nevada Athletic Commission for his failed drug tests earlier this year.
The suspension was handed down today by the commission and along with the suspension, Silva has been fined $380,000, had win win over Nick Diaz overturned to a no-contest, and will need to supply a clean drug test to come off suspension.
The hearing between the commission and Silva lasted over two hours and saw two different translators for the UFC fighter. A majority of the hearing was based on the sexual enhancement supplement that Silva took prior to UFC 183. He testified that the substance was given to him by a friend and was purchased in Thailand. The substance ended up having an illegal substance in it.
Ultimately, the commission did not believe that Silva was being truthful. Even though, Silva said he never willingly, knowingly, or intentionally ever took anabolic steroids. Commissioner Pat Lundvall would file the motion to suspend Silva for one year and the motion was unanimously approved.
Following the ruling by the commission, the UFC issued a statement on the suspension of Silva. The complete statement is below and ends with UFC stating they look forward to the return of the former champion in 2016.
“Following the Nevada Athletic Commission’s hearing today, Anderson Silva is required to serve a 12-month suspension from competition, retroactive from his last fight on January 31,” the statement said. “At the conclusion of his suspension, Silva must present a clean test upon reapplication of a license before his next fight in Nevada. The UFC organization maintains a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by its athletes, and fully supports the Commission’s ongoing efforts to ensure clean competition by all MMA athletes. UFC recognizes Silva’s great career and looks forward to his return to the Octagon in 2016.”