Axed? NSAC Files Complaint Against Wanderlei Silva
Former Pride FC kingpin and UFC fan favorite Wanderlei Silva seemingly suffered a crushing fall from grace this year; after dodging a random NSAC drug test, and all but making TUF: Brazil 3 a complete bust, ‘The Axe Murderer’ saw his stock fall massively in the eyes of his fans and employers.
After a State Athletic Commission hearing this past June, an apparently happy Silva said he looked forward to his return to action, and continued to call out Chael Sonnen and Vitor Belfort. UFC president Dana White had said that the NSAC would make an example out of, and bury Wanderlei Silva.
His counterpart in the matter, Chael Sonnen, was embroiled in a mass of failed drug tests and literally hung out to dry by the commission, so why was ‘The Axe Murderer’ given a pass on this one? Well, according to a report on MMAJunkie.com, the former Pride Fighting Championships middleweight boss is still in deep waters:
“An unarmed combatant shall submit to a urinalysis or chemical test if the commission or a representative of the commission directs him or her to do so,” states the NSAC complaint. The AG’s office seeks costs associated with the Silva case, including investigative costs and attorney’s fees, and any other punishment the commission sees fit, which could include barring him from applying for a license in the state for a period of time. Silva has 20 days to respond; his case will be addressed at a commission hearing at a date to be determined. “
In other words, the case is far from over yet, and Silva could still be banned from attaining a license with the commission. Perhaps Silva’s happiness after speaking to the NSAC at an ‘Info gathering hearing’ was a cover up of his true feelings. Now undoubtedly in the twilight of his career, this could be crippling for ‘The Axe Murderer’, as far as fighting again for the UFC is concerned.
With further appointments pending, do you feel it would be better for Silva to simply call it a day? Or, alternatively, do you think that he is innocent?
