Silva’s second pre-fight drug test comes back clean

MANILA, Philippines – After surprisingly failing the first random screening ahead of his bout with Nick Diaz at this month’s UFC 183, former middleweight champion Anderson Silva passed his second out-of-competition drug test.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) released the results on Tuesday, February 10 (PH Time) as his blood samples returned negative for performance-enhancing drugs and human growth hormone.

The second pre-fight drug test was administered by NSAC last January 19, roughly two weeks prior to his 185-pound showdown against Diaz.

Drostanolone and androstane were initially found in the system of the 39-year-old Silva in the first drug exam that was conducted by the same governing body on January 9.

Both substances are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency code, which is followed by the aforementioned commission.

Silva quickly dismissed NSAC’s findings of anabolic steroid-use and vowed to rebuild his clean reputation in the sport.

Although Silva is under temporary suspension from competition, NSAC has not handed any official sanction for the offense, but his case will be heard in a meeting on February 17.

Silva, who had been sidelined since he fractured the tibia and fibula bones in his left leg during a technical knockout loss to Chris Weidman at UFC 168 in December 2013, outpointed Diaz via unanimous decision with the scores of 49-46, 50-45 and 50-45 in the main event of UFC 183.

Like Silva, Diaz also flunked a pre-fight drug assessment, testing positive for marijuana metabolites as the 31-year-old fighter was reportedly over the allowable limit of 150 nanograms. – Rappler.com