Four UFC Fighters including Anderson Silva were issued suspensions by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Tuesday at its monthly meeting. Notably, it was revealed that Silva failed a second drug test post-fight according to MMA Junkie.
Silva tested positive for oxazepam and temazepam which are used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Junkie reported Silva failing a second test although it was not known when he took it.
In addition, Hector Lombard, Nick Diaz and Ashlee Evans-Smith were all fined and suspended by the NSAC.
The UFC has called a news conference for Wednesday to address the spate of failed drug tests.
It will be interesting to see what the UFC will do.
Payout Perspective:
The news of Silva failing his post-fight drug test is disappointing when you recall that he denied any PED use upon the first failed test. Not only does it appear that he lied, he has taken several banned substances in lead-up to his return to the Octagon. For someone that was supposed to be an ambassador to this sport, this is a definite public relations issue for the UFC. Regardless of the cost, it must do something to ensure the integrity of the sport.
MMA Payout will have more on the UFC news conference and the potential implications.
FightBusiness says
when you have a sport that has so many weapons few can make a career of it without using substances. low pay also hurts since they cant rest naturally and resolve thir injuries that way
saldathief says
Spider is an idiot and his people should be bared from handling any UFC fighter! Like seriously what where they thinking?
BrainSmasher says
Of all the non over the top trolls on this site. You have to be the most uneducated of the bunch. How does pay have anything to do with rest? None of these fighters are fighting more than 2-3 times per year. Exactly which of these fighters were rushed into fighting their last fight without proper rest? Also what where their injuries? Every time you make a comment I get the impression you should not be allowed to use the internet without your parents supervision!
saldathief says
I think all factors should be considered, its always about money in professional sports! so pay has a lot to do with it one way or another. BS you have no clue what it takes to train for any pro sport, most athletes compete injured, un rested, and some completely wiped out. Also every athlete is different, why don’t you educate yourself and read the recent Frank Mir story about his drug and trt use.
BrainSmasher says
I don’t care what Frank Mir lists as his excuses. HE has been on PE’s and drugs his entire career. Plus he has always made a ton of money. Plus I know what it cost to train. I also know that many fighters try to buy a title because they are insecure with their skill and spend all their money for no reason at all with no proof if helps.
So unless you shit for brains are suggesting fighters should only fight once every 3 years. Then you clearly have no point and talking out your ass. AES was in her first fight in the UFC and hadn’t fought for a long time. Anderson Silva is probably the richest fighter in the UFC and has millions. He hasn’t fought in many months and come back by his own choices. Not because he was forced to pay bills. Neither of you ass clowns even follow the sport to even comment. Which explains why your comments are so full of shit. I guess baseball players were all cheating because they don’t get paid either, right? Steroids are a sign of disposable income not lack of income. Which is why all the top guys from every major sport is using them. So if you ant to tie use in with income then you both will look stupid. One has nothing to do with the other. Top level fighters in Bellator have no problems running fight camps with a fraction of the pay of UFC fighters. Think about that when you fall for the bullshit the fighters make up to leverage more money. IF they mismanage their money and over pay and get diminished returns. That is this own stupidity.
If UFC fighters are paying significant more than Bellator fighters. They are doing it because it is bringing them in a lot in return. Or they wouldn’t do it. Everyone wants in the UFC and when some leave they want back in. Why? Because the money is great and they love every penny of it.
d says
Fightbusiness is a professional idiot.
d says
Saldaqueef, boxers use peds at the same rate mma fighters do, you should try to educate yourself idiot.
d says
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/jon-jones–chris-weidman-to-defend-titles-at-ufc-187-in-may-031624408.html
More bad news for Leon.
d says
The UFC’s new drug policy will be revolutionary in the sports world. Cheaters are running for their lives.
It would be nice to see boxing clean their sport up, but lord knows the only one that can get anyone to take a random blood test is Floyd Mayweather.
http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/2/18/8064275/ufc-announces-overhaul-of-drug-testing-policy-in-wake-of-high-profile
LeonThePro says
Yea if it actually happens. The UFC should’ve clued in on this years ago with all the ridiculous injuries and fight changes. However, they are still left with the same amount of stars on their roster whether they double-up or not. A 550k double title followed by a 150K bantam show is the same as two average ppvs. They would need to make their champs more active to make the double-up feasible. The major problem with the dual-title is it weakens the rest of the PPV headliners. Also, there’s a risk having both champs come out with injuries.
LeonThePro says
As a fan though I’ve been waiting for years for the double title to become regular. If they could reduce PPV to 4-6 per year, all with title fights or #1 contenders, that would be solid.
d says
550k? Shooting for 0 for 3? This is going to be a huge ppv. If this fight goes off as scheduled, this could be the biggest ppv of the year. They have two big title fights, they have Cerrone fighting Khabib, Arlovski is fighting Browne, on the undercard. This should do 800k-1m range.
One thing is pretty much for sure, one of those fights will go through, so even if one of the title fights gets cancelled, say if Johnson fails a ped test, they still will do probably around 500k buys.
If there are no injuries/ped failures for this fight, that will be the nail in your coffin.