Wanderlei Silva has set the record straight and explained why he avoided a random drug test conducted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).
During the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) meeting on June 17, Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva spoke through his lawyer, Ross Goodman, who explained that Silva refused to undergo the random drug test last May 24, 2014 because he was concerned that he would test positive for diuretics. Silva explained that he was taking diuretics with anti-inflammatory drugs given to him by a UFC doctor to hasten his recovery after he obtained a fracture in his right wrist in February 2014, MMA Fighting reported.
Goodman said in an ESPN report, "In February of this year, he injured his wrist. He was scheduled to fight [in May]. In early May, X-rays confirmed he had fractured his right wrist. The UFC moved the fight to July 5." He added, "Mr. Silva, regretfully, at that time, started taking diuretics. He was taking diuretics for the sole purpose of minimizing the inflammation and [decreasing] water retention."
"He now realizes that he should have submitted to the drug test. He was surprised. It was the first time in his career where out of competition somebody showed up at his gym. That doesn't negate or minimize what Mr. Silva did. He's here to apologize to the commission, and he was concerned that the diuretics would show up on the sample", Goodman further explained.
Silva was supposed to face Chael Sonnen at UFC 175 but was withdrawn from the fight after his deliberate refusal to take the random drug test. Meanwhile, Sonnen, who also recently tested positive for two drugs, announced that he will retire from professional MMA.
Prior to the incident, Silva has never failed a drug test since he debuted in professional MMA in 1996. He has a professional record of 35-12-1. The NSAC did not yet discuss the sanctions that may be imposed on Silva but will provide these in a future meeting. Silva was not licensed when the random test was supposed to be conducted. He may not be made eligible to apply for a fighter's license for a long time.
In a report by Sherdog, the NAC hearing on June 17, 2014 was called to gather information and not to impose disciplinary measures. Francisco Aguilar, chairman of the NAC said, "The intent was to find out and gather information. The commission will move forward with this drug program, we will take the information we gathered today into consideration and make a determination as to what our next step will be."
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