The Nevada State Athletic Commission have requested that the UFC remove Anderson Silva from his coaching role on The Ultimate Fighter Brazil season 4 which is currently filming in Las Vegas due to his recent positive steroid test.
As a result the UFC have made the decision to replace Silva with his long-time friend and training partner Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, with his twin brother Rogerio also set to appear as his assistant. Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua will continue as the opposing coach.
Silva is currently waiting for a disciplinary hearing with NSAC where his full punishment may well include a lengthy suspension from MMA competition, a fine and the result of his unanimous decision victory against Nick Diaz at UFC 183 in January being amended to a no-contest.
Read the UFC’s full statement regarding Silva’s removal from the TUF series below.
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“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.”
