UFC Plans To Support Anderson Silva Amidst Drug Test Controversy
All-time great former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has certainly seen better days in the wake of his multiple failed drug tests for anabolic steroids drostanolone and androstane surrounding his UFC 183 decision win over Nick Diaz.
“The Spider” recently requested and was granted a continuance for his inevitable hearing in front of the Nevada Athletic Commission, but he’ll eventually have to face the music and deal with his punishment, which will most likely include a lengthy suspension, a fine, and his win over Diaz being changed to a no contest.
In spite of all that, UFC President Dana White told members of the media at last night’s ((Sat., March 21, 2015) UFC Fight Night 62 post-fight presser that the UFC is going to stick by their legendary star.
“Anderson has been a huge part of this company and regardless of how this thing comes out, we’re going to support the guy.”
It’s no surprise to hear White voice a measure of support for his pay-per-view (PPV) star of many years, as “The Spider” undoubtedly gained a ton of fans for the promotion during his nearly seven-year run as champ.
Yet Silva could be out for quite some time to come, making a comeback from the 40-year-old fighter more and more unlikely as time goes by. Initial reports from Brazil had Silva being suspended for 18 months for the multiple failed tests, but despite not knowing what will actually transpire, White seems to believe that simply won’t be the case.
“He’s going to go before the Nevada Athletic Commission and I have no idea what’s going to happen,” he said. “I know there were some rumors down here that he’s only going to get 18 months. I don’t believe that’s true and I don’t know how anyone would know anything like that. That’s just a rumor. We’ll see what happens when he goes before the commission.”
Indeed we will see, and with Silva’s legacy taking a huge P.R. hit lately, it would probably be advantageous for his reputation to see him come back and put on another winning performance or two.
His team recently said that he has no plans to retire. But when will he be able to come back?
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
