The MMA world is still reeling from the news that UFC legend Anderson Silva tested positive for anabolic steroids in a pre-UFC 183 drug test that took place in early January. Silva’s doctor, Marcio Tannure is speaking now speaking out about his patient’s situation – with Silva maintaining his innocence.
Dr. Tannure, the medical director of the Brazillian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA), says Silva is devastated that he failed a drug test and denies that he took the two banned substances he tested positive for, drostanolone and androstane.
In an interview with Band News radio, Dr. Tannure said:
“Anderson told me he’s disappointed, upset because he didn’t use steroids. He will ask for the confirmation test because he believes the only explanation is a contamination or a mistake from the lab. He told me: ‘I have an impeccable career history and I wouldn’t want to tarnish my image.’”
“It’s too soon to judge,” he continued. “He has the right to a confirmation test and two other results. The Nevada Athletic Commission hasn’t talked yet, and the press is already judging him. The process isn’t over yet. If the whole process was already over, he would have already been suspended.”
The news is disturbing on many levels, with the legacy of one of UFC’s most decorated champions of all time now in question. Back in October, Silva spoke to MMAJunkie.com about the various fighters who have been caught using PED’s and said those fighters should have “no more fights.”
“When the guys test for the steroids, (they should have) no more fights,” Silva said. “When you use the steroids, you use them for a long time. When you use the steroids for a long time, you have a problem. It’s a drug and it’s not good for the sport.”
Various MMA pundits have also been speculating about whether this was the first time The Spider has dabbled with banned substances.
Also worth noting, there was no random drug testing for Silva's last 2 fights, which were both in Nevada against Chris Weidman.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 4, 2015
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For more on this story, including UFC’s official statement regarding Silva testing positive for steroids, read our original report from Tuesday evening.
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