Wanderlei Silva has been suspended from competing for three years for evading a random drug test prior to a fight with Chael Sonnen back in 2014.
Silva had originally been banned for life by the Nevada State Athletic Commission over the incident, but a judge later overruled that decision which led to the case being sent back to NSAC for a new ruling.
Silva’s ban is retroactive from May 24th of of 2014 which means the Brazilian star would be able to compete again by May of 2017, by which time he would be approaching his 41st birthday.
‘The Axe-Murderer’ was recently granted a release from his UFC contract after apologizing for several angry rants he’d aimed at the promotion since his original ban in which accused them of fight fixing and oppressing the fighters on their roster.
Silva had hoped to fight again this year, with Bellator acknowledging their interest, while the fighter himself stoked up rumors that he could fight heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko in the Japanese promotion Rizin this summer.
It’s possible Silva could still look to take a fight overseas out of NSAC’s jurisdiction, though that would reflect poorly on him if he tried to apply for a license to fight in the U.S once his suspension is complete.
In the mean time, it’s believed that Silva’s lawyer, Ross Goodman will now look to appeal NSAC’s latest decision.
