Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva knows a thing or two about cheaters.
The man spent nearly half his UFC career fighting opponents who had failed some sort of screening for performance enhancing drugs during their career. Throughout his historic 16-0 UFC run from 2006 to 2012, Silva defeated four different men who would later fail their post-fight test.
Taking a spin at 205 pounds, Silva quickly dispatched James Irvin in 2008. Irvin would go on to test positive for the illegal substance trenbolone, developed as a veterinary steroid generally used for livestock to increase muscle growth and appetite.
A year later at UFC 101, Silva took Forrest Griffin on a tour of The Matrix. The TUF winner’s use of Xanax the night before did anything but enhance his performance.
Nearly putting Silva away at UFC 117 in 2010, Chael Sonnen would go on to fail his post-fight screening due to ‘abnormally high’ testosterone levels.
Finally, in what stands as Silva’s most recent victory, Stephan Bonnar tested positive for the anabolic steroid Drostanolone following UFC 153 in 2012.
Speaking with Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie, Silva says he’s more concerned with the image of the sport than with his own safety.
“This is not bad for me, this is bad for the sport,” said Silva. “People around the world love the UFC, but the kids love the UFC, and the families love UFC. It’s bad for the sport. I don’t think this is good because the sport can change the lives of the kids and the people in the world.
“When the guys test for the steroids, it’s bad because this is a problem. It’s bad not just for the UFC, but for the sport.”
Silva believes PED users don’t typically dabble in them and that offenders should be removed from the sport.
“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.”
Despite that stance it appears Silva is willing to make an exception when it comes to Vitor Belfort. Belfort, who challenges middleweight champion Chris Weidman in February, has had his own set of issues with PEDs. Still, Silva told media Tuesday he’ll be cheering on the fellow Brazilian.
“With all my energy I’m going to be rooting for Vitor to win.”
Silva faces Nick Diaz Jan. 31 in the main event at UFC 183 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
‘I’m not going to apologize because I’m not sorry.’ Chael Sonnen discusses his failed drug tests. ‘I knew exactly what I was doing. This was a premeditated decision.’
‘Selecting another victim.’ Conor McGregor says he’ll fight again before a UFC featherweight title shot and that he and Zuffa brass are already lining up his next opponent.
From DMX to MVP to Vitor. Chuck Mindenhall recaps and breaks down Anderson Silva’s first (and last) media appearance before his fight with Nick Diaz.
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas discusses Anderson Silva’s return, UFC 179, Mike Goldberg and more in this week’s live chat.
‘I want to fight someone that isn’t afraid to stand up with me.’ Miesha Tate wants to slug it out with Bethe Correia after her last two opponents ‘just wanted to grab a hold and take it to the ground.’ ‘Let’s give the fans what they want to see and throw punches until someone goes down.’
MEDIA STEW
Free Fight: Nate Diaz vs. Gray Maynard.
Bellator 128 Uncut.
Friday Finishes from Inside MMA.
JT Torres vs. Rory MacDonald countdown for Metamoris 5.
Conor McGregor backstage at UFC 178.
Johny Hendricks KO’s Jon Fitch.
Long watches.
You’re Welcome with Chael Sonnen episode 1 – Ariel Helwani
…
Sam Caplan and Jason Floyd recap last weekend’s Bellator 128 and WSOF 14.
TWEETS
Took a turn there.
Because Aldo’s body is weak and Mendes is 2foot nothing, they will not be ready to challenge me for the throne until mid next year.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 15, 2014
Myself, Uncle Frank and the rest of La Familia are in the process of selecting another victim to eliminate in the meantime.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 15, 2014
I demand all scared contenders bow before me and kiss each individual toe, in a public setting of my choice, for pardoning from execution.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 15, 2014
You’ve 24hrs to come forward and surrender your woman and all your belongings or you’ll be hunted down and your head placed in my collection
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 15, 2014
TICK,TOCK..
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 15, 2014
Am I the only one that thinks a fighter wanting another fighter to kiss all of his toes is Super Creepy
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) October 16, 2014
.@TheNotoriousMMA says Defeat is the secret to success….let me help you be more successful kid! #SpeakUpDannyBoy
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) October 15, 2014
Not only would I grind @TheNotoriousMMA‘s face into mat, I’d whoop his ass on the Mic too!! #SoundOffSally #ICantHearYou !!
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) October 15, 2014
Beef.
@AliPuncherKing @johnlineker @danawhite @ufc hows vacation treating you? Do you really wanna play this game? Ill give you one chance to stop
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) October 15, 2014
@AliPuncherKing @danawhite lol god your fucking stupid … Silly bitch go sit in the corner and think about what you did! #cheater
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) October 15, 2014
No thanks.
Got to work with the LVMPD today as a k9 decoy! I will also be volunteering for the LVMPD 24th annual… http://t.co/oZFQr1w5dw
— Bryan Caraway (@BryanCaraway) October 16, 2014
Get well soon.
Got a mole taken off by Dr Graham at the gym. Great guy and love having him @powermmafitness … http://t.co/a2yBkXQ1Ng pic.twitter.com/SVjKeCgUhj
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) October 16, 2014
http://t.co/McqZOmPFlE pic.twitter.com/fvLFBev4xi
— Pat Barry (@HypeOrDie) October 15, 2014
Damn.
Its been exactly 200 days since I’ve fought & still no fight in site?!? @MMAWorldSeries @SugarRaySefo #WillFight4Food #unemployment
— Steve Carl (@Steve_Carl) October 16, 2014
Didn’t Google.
Jury Duty. Fingers crossed they let me go home today. http://t.co/gxESNvn6Px pic.twitter.com/53Ks80Tjla
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) October 15, 2014
Yep.
Mahalo @NuVoCondoms cause they know DA spyder procreates two at a time haha also @ParadigmSM pic.twitter.com/1AOgPFqRPb
— kendallgrovemma (@kendallgrovemma) October 15, 2014
UFC 1 re-imagined.
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Working out (having fun) with @robertoberst world strongest man @alexdiciero
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Oct. 15 2014)
Renan Barao vs. Mitch Gagnon at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway
Urijah Faber at Francisco Rivera at UFC 181: Hendricks vs. Lawler 2
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.