Mayra Bueno Silva has revealed that she failed a drug test during the week of her ninja choke submission win over Holly Holm last month, which has resulted in the result being amended to a no-contest.
The 32-year-old Silva had risen to No.3 in the bantamweight rankings thanks to that win, her 4th in a row, but in a statement she insists that she’s not a cheater and that her failed test was due to the ADHD medication she takes.
“To all of my fans,
It is with deep regret that I have to announce I failed a drug test that I took the week of my fight against Holly Holm,” Silva wrote in a statement. “I want to begin by saying I have never in my life taken a substance to enhance my ability in or outside the cage. I have test positive for a substance that is consistent with the prescription medication I take for my ADHD. I have been dealing with this disorder my entire life and it affects me in a multitude of ways.
I have provided a plethora of documents and explanations to USADA and the Nevada State Commission detailing the disorder, the effects of the disorder on my daily life and my decision making in the ingestion of the prescription medicine. I am fully cooperating with USADA, the Nevada Sthate athletic Commission and the UFC to make sure that all information is available and I fully acknowledge the presence of the substance in my system. I discontinued this medication at the beginning of fight week, like I always have in the past. So while it apeared in a small amount in my system, I am told by experts that it would not have an effect on my in-competition performance at that level.
Please before you make any judgements understand that I have been dealing with this my whole life and I am devastated that this has happened in my career. I look forwward to coming to a resolution and putting this behind me. I look forward to fighting again for the best organization in the world. I am the next champion and I am ready to fight!”
Silva’s case appears to echo that of Kevin Lee, who failed a drug test due to ADHD related medication back in 2019, leading to a six month suspension.
