Dana White: Anderson Silva will remain in role as coach on Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4

Anderson Silva has been temporarily suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC), but he’ll continue on in his role of coach for The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4, UFC president Dana White said Wednesday in a statement.

White said that Silva has “never tested positive for a banned substance” in his UFC career until now and that the promotion will ensure he gets his “due process and we will support him during this time.”

Silva tested positive for drostanolone, an anabolic steroid, and androstane in a Jan. 9 out-of-competition drug test, Yahoo! reported Tuesday. Both substances are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the code used by the NAC. Silva, who was attempting to come back from a broken leg 13 months ago, went on to defeat Nick Diaz at UFC 183 on Saturday. The commission did not get the results back from last month’s test until Tuesday and it is still waiting on results from two other Silva tests.

Diaz also failed a drug test, testing positive for marijuana metabolites in a post-fight screening. Both men are facing further discipline from the NAC at a hearing in either March or April. Silva’s win could also be overturned into a no contest at that time.

Silva is denying that he used any kind of performance-enhancing drugs.

TUF Brazil airs both on UFC Fight Pass and on broadcast television in Brazil. Silva is currently in Las Vegas filming the series. He’ll be coaching up against fellow legend Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

Here is White’s full statement:

“Anderson Silva has been one of the greatest athletes this sport has ever seen. He has had a long and distinguished career in mixed martial arts. In his nine years with the UFC, Anderson has never tested positive for a banned substance. In light of this, we want to ensure that Anderson gets his due process and we will support him during this time. While this process plays out, Anderson will continue in his role as coach of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil. Of course we will continue to monitor the actions of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

“We fully support the Commission’s out-of-competition drug testing program, which we have financed when requested over the past two years. Testing of this nature is important to help keep the sport clean. The director at the laboratory in Salt Lake City has now explained the timing of Anderson’s test results and why the Commission and the UFC did not receive the results until February 3, after the fight.

“Once all the results have been made public and the Nevada State Athletic Commission has rendered its decision, we will respect the process and move forward accordingly.”

Anderson Silva has been temporarily suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC), but he’ll continue on in his role of coach for The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4, UFC president Dana White said Wednesday in a statement.

White said that Silva has “never tested positive for a banned substance” in his UFC career until now and that the promotion will ensure he gets his “due process and we will support him during this time.”

Silva tested positive for drostanolone, an anabolic steroid, and androstane in a Jan. 9 out-of-competition drug test, Yahoo! reported Tuesday. Both substances are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the code used by the NAC. Silva, who was attempting to come back from a broken leg 13 months ago, went on to defeat Nick Diaz at UFC 183 on Saturday. The commission did not get the results back from last month’s test until Tuesday and it is still waiting on results from two other Silva tests.

Diaz also failed a drug test, testing positive for marijuana metabolites in a post-fight screening. Both men are facing further discipline from the NAC at a hearing in either March or April. Silva’s win could also be overturned into a no contest at that time.

Silva is denying that he used any kind of performance-enhancing drugs.

TUF Brazil airs both on UFC Fight Pass and on broadcast television in Brazil. Silva is currently in Las Vegas filming the series. He’ll be coaching up against fellow legend Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

Here is White’s full statement:

“Anderson Silva has been one of the greatest athletes this sport has ever seen. He has had a long and distinguished career in mixed martial arts. In his nine years with the UFC, Anderson has never tested positive for a banned substance. In light of this, we want to ensure that Anderson gets his due process and we will support him during this time. While this process plays out, Anderson will continue in his role as coach of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil. Of course we will continue to monitor the actions of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

“We fully support the Commission’s out-of-competition drug testing program, which we have financed when requested over the past two years. Testing of this nature is important to help keep the sport clean. The director at the laboratory in Salt Lake City has now explained the timing of Anderson’s test results and why the Commission and the UFC did not receive the results until February 3, after the fight.

“Once all the results have been made public and the Nevada State Athletic Commission has rendered its decision, we will respect the process and move forward accordingly.”