Wanderlei Silva receives lifetime ban in Nevada for skipping drug test

Recently-retired fighter Wanderlei Silva received a lifetime suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for evading a random drug test prior to his scheduled bout against Chael Sonnen at July’s UFC 175.

NSAC voted unanimously on Wednesday morning, September 24 (PH Time) to ban Silva from ever competing in the state again and obliged the 38-year-old Brazilian to pay a hefty fine of $70,000, which represented 35 percent of an expected $200,000-purse.

“When you run from a test, that’s about the worst thing you can do,” NSAC chairman Francisco Aguilar said during the hearing, which was aired on UFC’s digital network Fight Pass.

The 5-foot-10 fighter known as “The Axe Murderer” previously stated that he turned down the random test because he was taking banned diuretics at the time, which he claimed to decrease the swelling caused by a wrist injury.

Silva, who recently announced his retirement from professional fighting, requested last week to have the case dismissed on grounds that the governing body did not have jurisdiction to punish him since he had yet to apply for a license to compete in Nevada.

However, the commission ultimately denied the request on Wednesday along with the decision to prohibit Silva from taking part of NSAC-sanctioned mixed martial arts (MMA) events.

NSAC’s collection agent gave a detailed description of the steps he took to track Silva down in order to collect the required blood and urine samples necessary for a random drug check.

In addition, he publicly revealed how after contacting the MMA combatant in person at the Wand Fight Team gym in Las Vegas, Silva snuck out a back exit when he was informed of the test.

“I think we need to be as harsh as possible. Running is inexcusable, no matter what circumstances are. He was given ample opportunity after leaving the gym to submit a test. He failed to do that and jumped on a plane to Brazil,” Aguilar mentioned.

According to Silva’s lawyer Ross Goodman, his client intends to appeal the ruling in district court.

NSAC issues punishment to Jones, Cormier for media day brawl

During that same hearing, the NSAC slapped UFC light heavyweight titlist Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier with fines and corresponding punishment for their media day scuffle that occurred this past August at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As both men met on stage for a traditional pre-fight staredown, Jones intentionally put his forehead on his counterpart, but Cormier responded by shoving the champion.

UFC public relations head Dave Sholler tried to halt the commotion and split the two fighters, but he ended up being pushed into the stage’s backdrop in the process by Jones.

Jones immediately went after Cormier, throwing a left hand before crashing down to the floor where they continued to brawl until being separated.

After order was restored, Jones returned to the stage to celebrate in front of fans and media members in attendance.

Aside from their squabble in public, Jones and Cormier were recorded exchanging threats and profanities during an off-air segment of an ESPN interview.

NSAC has obliged Jones to pay a hefty fee of $50,000 for his role in the altercation and is required to perform 40 hours of community service in Las Vegas in lieu of a suspension, while Cormier has been fined $9,000 and must complete 20 hours of community work in San Jose, California.

Cormier’s fine constitutes 10 percent of his base salary as Jones was set to earn $450,000 for his light heavyweight title defense at UFC 178 on September 27 (September 28 in PH), while the challenger would take home $90,000.

In addition, Cormier’s community service prerequisite was less substantial than Jones because, according to NSAC commissioner Pat Lundvall, there was a disparity in culpability.

“I don’t think he’s at the same level as Mr. Jones, but I don’t think he is completely without fault,” Ludvall mentioned.

The rulings were unanimously approved by the governing body on Wednesday morning, September 24 (PH Time), which was aired on UFC’s digital network Fight Pass.

Jones was regretful during the proceedings, apologizing for his actions while suggesting that he could use his influence to help convey a positive message.

Furthermore, the 205-pound division’s kingpin indicated that the incident cost him a contract with Nike as well as another potentially lucrative sponsor that he declined to name.

“I made us all look bad, and as a champion, it was a terrible thing” he said.

Jones’ lawyer Ofir Ventura did not disclose the exact amount of the Nike deal, but he affirmed that it was more than a six-figure agreement.

“It was over six figures per year. It’s pretty damaging if you’d really consider it,” Ventura stated.

Like Jones, Cormier also faced a lengthy cross-examination before the commission and expressed remorse for his unacceptable act.

“I apologize for my part in the actions. It is not who I am. I think a lot of people knew me before the event, and the lights are just a little bit brighter, and I need to carry myself in the way that I have for 20 competitive years,” Cormier stressed.

While the championship clash was originally scheduled for this weekend’s UFC 178 pay-per-view event, Jones suffered a knee injury in training and was compelled to undergo immediate surgery and pull out of his meeting with Cormier.

As a result, the title tilt between Jones and Cormier will be moved on January 3, 2015 (January 4 in PH) in the main event of UFC 182, which takes place at a yet-to-be-determined venue in Las Vegas.

“40 hours of community service in Vegas with a fight coming up is the only thing that really concerns me,” Jones wrote via Twitter. “The fact that this needs to be completed before the fight is definitely going to have effect on my camp. I respect [the] commission though.

Replacing the Jones-Cormier pairing in the UFC 178 headliner is the flyweight title tussle between current champion Demetrious Johnson and Filipino-American combatant Chris Cariaso. – Rappler.com