NSAC Requests Wanderlei Silva’s Presence At June 17 Hearing
With speculation mounting in the ongoing UFC 175 mess between Chael Sonnen, Wanderlei Silva, and to a lesser extent, Vitor Belfort, ‘The Axe Murderer’ has been called to the June 17 Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) meeting, the same one where ‘The American Gangster’ and ‘The Phenom’ will have their cases heard.
NSAC chairman Francisco Aguilar told MMA Junkie that he had reached out to Silva to request his presence at the hearing, but has not yet received a response from him. Silva’s situation will be under review whether he shows up or not, and he could potentially face disciplinary action.
However, since Silva is not currently a licensed fighter, the exact nature of said action remains unknown at this point. The NSAC mailed Silva a letter on June 2 that stated the following:
“The Nevada State Athletic Commission believes that you have information important to the commission, and … is requiring your attendance at the next Commission meeting. At that time, the Commission will discuss your ability to compete in unarmed combat.”
New NSAC Executive Director Robert Bennett will apparently testify at the hearing, as will the drug test collector whom Silva reportedly (and infamously) evaded at his gym during a random stop by on May 23.
With Sonnen out of the July 5 card from Las Vegas, Silva called out on Twitter for a bout with Belfort. After it was announced he would not be licensed to fight Sonnen, Silva released a video stating that he was confused by the whole ordeal and could not acquiesce to the NSAC’s request for a drug test because they brought him paperwork worded in English that he would not sign without legal representation present.
Well, it looks like Silva will get his chance to state his case before the NSAC. Is there any way ‘The Axe Murderer’ will be licensed to fight in Nevada?
