Anderson Silva Surprised by Drug Test Failure, Open to Nick Diaz Rematch
Reports out of Brazil surfaced over the weekend that former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva would admit to using performance-enhancing substances for therapeutic use when he goes before the Nevada Athletic Commission.
Silva tested positive for Drostanolone and Androstane (both are banned anabolic steroids) on Jan. 9 in an out-of-competition drug test, and then tested positive for Drostanolone again in a Jan. 31 fight-night drug test related to his UFC 183 bout against Nick Diaz in Las Vegas. He is currently under a temporary suspension pending a full hearing with the commission.
> SEE ALSO: Anderson Silva Will Reportedly Admit to Therapeutic PEDs Use
In a video from TMZ Sports on Wednesday, however, Silva expressed his confusion about testing positive for steroids for his Jan. 31 bout with Nick Diaz. Silva won the fight via unanimous decision. (Watch the TMZ Sports video interview here.)
“I am surprised. My manager call me and say Anderson, you have the problem because you go to the test for the commission, it’s bad,” recounted Silva, before adding, “I don’t know what happened.”
He went on to indicate that he the various supplements he used during training were being tested.
At this juncture, it’s difficult to say how this situation will play out. Silva will go before the Nevada Athletic Commission at its next meeting for his hearing, but the date for that meeting has not been set.
At that time, Silva will be able to present his side of what happened, and then the commission will make a determination. It’s rare that a fighter that tests positive for steroids avoids repercussions.
However the situation is resolved, Silva doesn’t appear ready to step away from the sport. In fact, he’s already talking rematch.
“I think this is bad for sport, it’s so bad for me and my life, and I used nothing for change my performance in the fight,” he told TMZ.
“When commission say done, I go back to fight. I think have the rematch for Nick,” he continued. “I expect the commission now, when all this done, I go fight Nick for next one.”
