UFC president Dana White has issued a statement regarding Anderson Silva after it emerged that the legendary fighter had tested positive for steroids prior to his UFC 183 fight with Nick Diaz this past Saturday night in Las Vegas.
In the statement White offers his support to both Silva and the NSAC drug testing system and also confirms that the fighter will still coach The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 which begins filming soon.
Read the full statement, via the UFC’s official website, below.
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“Anderson Silva has been one of the greatest athletes this sport has ever seen. He has had a long and distinguished career in mixed martial arts. In his nine years with the UFC, Anderson has never tested positive for a banned substance. In light of this, we want to ensure that Anderson gets his due process and we will support him during this time. While this process plays out, Anderson will continue in his role as coach of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil. Of course we will continue to monitor the actions of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
“We fully support the Commission’s out-of-competition drug testing program, which we have financed when requested over the past two years. Testing of this nature is important to help keep the sport clean. The director at the laboratory in Salt Lake City has now explained the timing of Anderson’s test results and why the Commission and the UFC did not receive the results until February 3, after the fight.
“Once all the results have been made public and the Nevada State Athletic Commission has rendered its decision, we will respect the process and move forward accordingly.”
