Anderson Silva maintains innocence in new PED statement

Photo from Instagram

Anderson Silva has been under fire for the past few weeks following his failed drug test after his UFC 183 win against Nick Diaz (who also failed his drug test). Silva has maintained his innocence since the beginning and his most recent statement is much of the same.

Silva who has always had a squeaky clean reputation said via his Instagram, “I never used any substances to better my performance in my fights. I love what I do and I would never risk what I took so long to build.”

Silva (34-6 MMA, 17-2 UFC) returned to the cage Jan 31 of this year after battling back from a gruesome leg injury that many thought could end his career. His win against Diaz at UFC 183 brought him to sobbing tears as many critics were claiming the champ was back.

The joy didn’t last long as his failed tests were announced just days after the fight was over. The test which was administered on Jan. 9 came back positive for two forms of steroids. He passes a urine and blood test just a few days later on Jan. 19, but failed the urine test on the night of the fight.

Silva was temporarily suspended this week following a crackdown by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The suspension is pending a hearing with is likely to take place by April of this year.

In light of the recent failed drug tests the UFC announced a new drug test initive earlier this week that goes into effect July 1.

Silva’s entire statement can be found below:

“IN RESPECT TO MY FANS. I will not say anything about who I am or what I went through to get here. What matters to me now is the respect from those who have followed my career. I bled, struggled and fought because I love it and because I always wanted to honor the flag of the country I love so much. I don’t know what to apologize for, because I am still waiting for the results and analysis from the specialists that are working to reveal the truth. Everything that I took since my injury are being analyzed. I look for the truth as much as all those who were surprised with the results. I always played clean, I was never a cheater. In eighteen years of my career, I never had a problem with exams. In and out of the Octagon I never slipped in compliance with the principles that always guided me. With much honor and dignity I defended my country where ever I fought. I never used any substances to better my performance in my fights. I love what I do and I would never risk what I took so long to build. I think that the hurry some people have to condemn me is unfair. The time it takes to destroy a reputation is infinitely less than that is taken to build it. I am the one who is most eager to settle this situation. I want those who have always supported me to know that I am still fighting for all the sad happenings of this situation to be cleared.”

-Article first appeared on Houndsports.com

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