Last Sunday, UFC 183 saw one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, Anderson Silva, make a successful return from injury against Nick Diaz.
Silva was out of action for a little over a year after breaking his tibia and fibula in his rematch against Chris Weidman at UFC 168.
Silva defeated Diaz via a unanimous points decision, in a surprisingly competitive contest.
No one could have guessed what would have happened next.
On January 9th, it was discovered by the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory in Salt Lake City, Utah that Anderson Silva tested positive to having two anabolic steroids in his system (drostanolone and androstane).
The results were not returned to the Nevada State Athletic Commission until Tuesday – two days after the bout.
Nick Diaz tested positive for having elevated levels of marijuana metabolites in his system.
Diaz tested above the 150ng/NL limit that Nevada has set. The exact level he had in his system is yet to be released.
This is the third time in his career that Nick Diaz has been caught for this offence.
The last time Diaz tested positive for marijuana was UFC 143 back in 2012, and then in the PRIDE organisation back in 2007.
The UFC has the following statement regarding the offence:
On February 3, 2015, the UFC organization was notified by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that Anderson Silva tested positive for Drostanolone metabolites on his Jan 9 out of competition drug test. UFC’s understanding is that further testing will be conducted by the Commission to confirm these preliminary results. 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.
UFC President Dana White has yet to comment, and referred to the statement above.
Anderson Silva will have to attend a disciplinary hearing, and on February 17 the Nevada State Athletic Commission will move towards temporarily suspending his license.
The result of the fight will likely be overturned to a no-contest.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
"But than again no belived that Lance Armstrong was until he came out with the truth." Really? The whole world knew LA was a cheat, only the most die hard/naive of his fans believed him till the end.
Gabba
Guest
Heart breaking news.
big J
Guest
Fair enough to doubt Silva, but innocent til proven guilty. But wouldnt be a shame if it came out that he is a drug cheat just like everybody else. All athletes are cheat it is just a matter of you gets caught and you does not. Nothing is clean anymore, shame
big J
Guest
Hard to beleive the Silva is a cheat, but than again no belived that Lance Armstrong was until he came out with the truth. I agree with the comment that he could he a prescription due to the rehap of his leg, but lets hope that this is a false postive and he can fight again without incident.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Should never have happened to both fighters. Diaz went into the Silva fight on a two-fight losing streak, then he loses to Silva and gets done for marijuana. Diaz is not going anywhere near a title shot for a loooong time.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Just a bad look for the sport as a whole, when the humble, noble dominant champion gets done for something like this, after coming back from a devastating injury. Could very well be the UFC's own Lance Armstrong story. He is claiming innocence, lets he is. Either way, there will doubters, and I am one of them.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Diaz has been caught three times now. Why do it before a fight? UFC needs a new ambassador. Looks like they will be hoping McGregor can down Aldo. People can say what they what about him, he makes money, he can fight and he doesnt do drugs (or he hasnt been caught).
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Very true, but according to the rules they can't be in your system over a certain level (and Diaz has known this for a long time). He chose to break the rules again. First Jones, now Silva. Dana White can't be having a great time right now.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
GSP has already turned down one fight and his manager said he was not even close to coming back. GSP does not want any of the UFC right now it seems.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
It is possible, but even if that is the case they are an illegal drug to have in your system so close to a fight. He should have waited to make his return if that is the case.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
We will have to wait and see what happens. The treatment of fighters isn't fair (as each fighter seems to have a separate set of rules), so maybe they should just take this one on the chin and work on the image of their company. It is not looking good.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Well he is fighting it, but no matter the outcome people are going to think he's lying (and vice versa). It will tarnish the image he has now, but people will remember the legacy behind the scandal.
Bones506
Roar Guru
Clear we need to see the B samples but doesn't look good. I don't care about Diaz but if you are pushing for titles why risk it - it would reduce your physical capabilities.
BP
Guest
Silva claims he is innocent, guess we will have to wait and see what happens. Wonder how the UFC will cover this one up haha.
Bones506
Roar Guru
Silva is not the first to go positive for Steriods in UFC but he is the biggest name thus far. There have been a stack well known fighters over the years - Bonner, Gracie, Leben and Shamrock come to mind immediatelty. Not a good look at all - esp for Silva who was the Pound-for-Pound king of the sport. The UFC will endure - far too big with far too many superstars now. It will not trun people off it at all. Personally - McGregor fight is the one I am most interested to watch in 2015.
Bones506
Roar Guru
Silva is not the first to go positive for Steriods in UFC but he is the biggest name thus far. There have been a stack well known fighters over the years - Bonner and Shamrock come to mind immediatelty. Not a good look at all - esp for Silva who was the Pound-for-Pound king of the sport. The UFC will endure - far too big with far too many superstars now. It will not trun people off it at all. Personally - McGregor fight is the one I am most interested to watch in 2015.
SM
Guest
Sorry, I was referring to the Jon Jones mess, forgetting that it was cocaine he tested positive for. I couldn't care less about the Diaz positive test, as you rightly say marijuana is not a performance enhancer, but did he seriously step into the octagon while stoned? I knew he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed but this just takes the cake. Against a juiced Silva no less! Maybe not as in Silva's case it was out of competition, but still. Stupidest thing is, he'll lose all his fight money, all for a few joints.
Bonza
Guest
Bit of perspective here, marijuana is hardly a performance enhancing drug nor is it uncommon for many sports to discover this. Silva is a different story but is that worse than assaulting women which in many sports is punished but forgiven? If I was Dana White I wouldn`t be panicking.
SM
Guest
Two of their biggest fighters get done within weeks. Horrible look for the UFC. Dana White must be knocking down GSP's door as we speak!
Pip
Guest
Does anyone here not think it's entirely possible that Anderson was prescribed steroids for the treatment of his leg? This is the first time he's ever tested positive for anything, I doubt he's suddenly become a drug addict in which he could potentially ruin the legacy he created and fought his way back from injury to reclaim.