Sport review 8 feb 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

UFC confirms Anderson Silva tests positive for steroids, Nick Diaz pops for marijuana

The high of Saturday’s entertaining UFC 183 headliner between Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz quickly wore off tonight when news broke both men failed drug tests related to the event.

 

Silva (34-6 MMA, 17-2 UFC) flunked an out-of-competition pre-fight test administered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Jan. 9. The results came in today and revealed the former UFC middleweight champion tested positive for drostanolone metabolites, which indicates the use of an anabolic steroid, as well as androsterone, a form of endogenous testosterone.

According to a statement released by UFC officials , it’s „UFC’s understanding is that further testing will be conducted by the Commission to confirm these preliminary results.”

The organization also added in the prepared statement that its „disappointed” by the news.

„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.”

Diaz (26-10 MMA, 7-7 UFC), according to a report from Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole , had an amount of marijuana metabolites over the allowable limit of 150 nanograms in his post-fight test. UFC officials subsequently confirmed  the former Strikeforce champion’s failed test.

„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 statement read. „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.”

Diaz’s positive test related to marijuana is the third of his professional career, all under the jurisdiction of the NSAC. His first positive test came following a PRIDE 33 bout with Takanori Gomi in February 2007. He won by submission, but would later have the victory overturned to a no-contest. Diaz’s second positive test came in February 2012 following a UFC 143 interim welterweight championship bout with Carlos Condit. He lost that fight by unanimous decision and was suspended one year.

 

Silva and Diaz fought for five rounds at UFC 183, which took place at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. Silva walked away with the unanimous decision after a 13-month layoff following his well-documented broken leg in December 2013 (watch the Silva vs. Diaz video highlights).

While Silva’s positive test was from a pre-fight test, NSAC officials told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto the results of the test only became available today.

NSAC officials weren’t immediately available for comment when contacted by MMAjunkie.

The NSAC’s next scheduled meeting is Feb. 17, at which time both Silva and Diaz will likely receive temporary suspensions. The two will then be scheduled for disciplinary hearings before the commission at a later date.

First-time steroid offenders in Nevada have generally been prescribed a nine-month suspension in past cases. Of course, this past October, Silva told MMAjunkie he believes positive steroid tests should mean lifetime bans.

„When the guys test for the steroids, (they should have) no more fights,” Silva said. „When you use the steroids, you use them for a long time. When you use the steroids for a long time, you have a problem. It’s a drug and it’s not good for the sport.”