The UFC 183 was one of the company’s most successful offerings in a long time, as the main event featured established names Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz. After an entertaining five-round bout, things appeared well. But shortly afterwards, both men tested positive for banned substances, Silva for steroids and Diaz for marijuana.
Now, Silva has come out and flat out denied the use of PEDs, while some have questioned his legacy of fights as champion in the past. Though Las Vegas used to be known for having a strict process in the past, recently problems with the Nevada State Athletic Commission have really come into the forefront in MMA. In this case, Silva’s test was a pre-fight test, but the results did not come back until after the fight. No official suspension is in place, and the UFC has already backed Silva up by announcing he will be coach on “TUF Brazil”.
On the other side of the ring, Diaz again tested positive for marijuana. Diaz has tested positive before, and he may face a long suspension as a repeat offender. Now the commissions recently de-emphasized pot, raising the level required in your system to test positive. Diaz apparently exceeded the new threshold.
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The UFC saw a spike in their PPV numbers with Silva back, and they certainly will want him back in the octagon this year. If he is suspended, coaching on the reality series is a good way to keep him in the public eye, and active while “serving” the suspension.
Assuming both tests are positive, what does UFC president Dana White do? It would be a huge miscarriage of justice would be to see Diaz issued a suspension of a year or so. And Silva, who is going to fight the case and will have the UFC’s backing while doing it, may get off with just a slap on the wrist.
Check out both men’s post fight interviews after their UFC 183 fight.
