The world of mixed martial arts was rocked when it was reported that Anderson Silva failed a pre-fight drug test for his match at UFC 183 against Nick Diaz.
There have been many comments and questions in the hours since Yahoo Sports’ Kevin Iole reported the failed drug test, but Silva has finally broken his silence with a statement provided to Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com by Silva’s manager Ed Soares:
I’ve been competing in this sport for a very long time. This is my nineteenth fight in the UFC. I have been thoroughly tested many times and have never had a positive drug test.
I have not taken any performance-enhancing drugs. My stance on drugs is, and will always be, the same. I’m an advocate for a clean sport.
I’m consulting with my advisors right now to explore all of my options and intend to fight this allegation and clear my name. I will not make any further comments until my team advises me to do so.
Iole tweeted the news of Silva and Nick Diaz failing separate drug tests on Tuesday:
Iole also released a report on Wednesday with the doctor in charge of the lab where Silva’s sample was tested, Daniel Eichner, explaining why it took so long for the results to come out.
“Would we like to get the reports out before an event? Of course,” Eichner said. “Of course we would. But think of the Olympic movement: You strip people of gold medals. You don’t stop them from racing. Sometimes these things take longer and then you have to go back and sanction after the fact.”
UFC has been overwhelmed by positive drug tests to some of its biggest stars recently. Silva’s failure comes on the heels of UFC lightweight champion Jon Jones testing positive for cocaine during an out-of-competition drug test in December.
Silva is widely regarded as the greatest fighter in mixed martial arts history, going seven years without losing a fight and owning a 17-2 record in UFC. His only losses have come against Chris Weidman, though the second one was the result of a gruesome leg injury suffered in the second round of their rematch at UFC 168.
A failed drug test could forever alter the perception of Silva in some circles, so it’s no wonder that he would want to take any steps possible to clear his name. Given that he does mention the previous drug tests he’s taken and passed, he may have a reason for why the test came back positive.
UFC is walking a delicate tightrope because of the public relations nightmare of these failed drug tests. The sport is trying to grow and should be able to do so with a national contract on Fox Sports, but the company has a lot of work to do to rebuild its reputation with fans.
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