Anderson Silva has come to grips with the failed drug tests, and now he is on a mission to determine exactly how the two steroids, Drostanolone and Androsterone, got into his system in the first place.
The former UFC middleweight champ has helplessly sat on the sidelines, listening to critics rip apart his legacy. It’s amazing how years of blood, sweat and tears can be reduced to zilch at the mere mention of performance-enhancing drugs.
Silva, who is often viewed as one of the true class acts in MMA, was forever tainted when it was revealed by Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Bob Bennett that he had tested positive for steroids leading up to his UFC 183 main event bout with Nick Diaz.
It was a bombshell announcement that left a gaping hole in the hearts of so many MMA fans, never to be closed again.
“I don’t know what happened. I’m surprised,” said Silva when speaking with TMZ.com.
Oxazepam, an anti-anxiety medication, and Temazepam, which is used to treat sleep deprivation, were also found in Silva’s system in a post-fight drug test.
“I think this is bad for the sport, it’s so bad for me and my life,” Silva said. “And that does nothing to change my performance in the fight.”
Silva is scheduled to attend an NSAC hearing, where he’ll face a likely suspension. He expects to be competing again within a year, and given recent comments made by Diaz‘s coach, Cesar Gracie, a rematch with Diaz could be on tap.
After hearing of the failed drug test, Gracie petitioned for the commission to overturn Diaz‘s decision loss to Silva in a conversation with TMZ. If Diaz feels at all slighted by the loss, Silva has no qualms with fighting again.
He even encouraged rapper 50 Cent to forgo his $1.6 million bet on Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao and use the money on the Diaz rematch instead.
“I think have the rematch for Nick. I respect the commission now, and when all is done, I go fight Nick,” said Silva. “Hey 50, you need to put this money in my next fight for Nick Diaz.”
Jordy McElroy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA writer for Rocktagon and FanRag Sports.
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