NSAC Gets Anderson Silva Fired From TUF Brazil 4
In case you missed it, the biggest MMA drug bust of all time went down this month. No, not the Nick Diaz Marijuana trilogy-maker, I’m talking about Anderson Silva failing a drug test for steroids. The interwebs pretty much exploded at this mind-blowing news, and Silva’s statement in response was a stern denial, and he did pass a second drug screen just ten days after the first (January 9th/19th).
Everyone from your next door neighbour to Georges St-Pierre is talking about this hot topic. The NSAC (Nevada State Athletic Commision) has already hinted that his UFC 183 win over Nick Diaz will be made a no-contest, but it seem’s they aren’t done yet. Contrary to previous reports, the Commission has got Anderson Silva fired from his TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) Brazil 4 duties. As per MMAFighting.com:
The UFC announced today that Brazilian legend Rodrigo “Big Nog” Nogueira will join the cast of The Ultimate Fighter® Brazil 4, the organization’s signature television reality series, as coach following the departure of UFC middleweight Anderson Silva.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission, which regulates The Ultimate Fighter series’ exhibition fights filmed in Las Vegas, requested that Silva cease participation in the series as a result of his temporary suspension following the recently announced preliminary results of his January 9 pre-fight drug test for UFC® 183.
The UFC and Globo, the show’s Brazilian broadcaster, respect the Commission’s decision, which will allow Silva to focus his attention on the matter before the Commission. Anderson Silva has been an amazing champion and a true ambassador of the sport of mixed martial arts and the UFC will continue to support him as this process unfolds.
The series, which began filming in Las Vegas on Monday, Feb. 2, originally featured Silva and former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua as head coaches. Rua will continue on as coach of Team Shogun versus the newly formed Team Nogueira, which will also include Big Nog’s twin brother Rogerio “Lil Nog” Nogueira as an assistant coach.
This is bad news indeed for Silva, who is yet to come out publicly about the failed drugs test. He still denies vehemently that he took any PEDs (performance enhancing drugs) and insists that it was a bungled test.
No news yet on whether he’ll be checking in to the Brazilian version of the Jon Jones rehab clinic, but we’ll keep you updated as this story continues to evolve.
