UFC News: Chael Sonnen Rips Anderson Silva For ‘Silly’ And ‘Ridiculous’ PED Excuse
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva was the subject of a Nevada State Athletic Commission hearing back on August 13, after “The Spider” tested positive for steroids following his win over Nick Diaz at UFC 183 back in February. Silva pleaded innocent in the case; however, the NSAC ended up hitting Silva with a 12-month suspension and a fine of $380,000.
Silva’s defense was extremely strange, saying that he received a blue vial from a friend in Thailand, and claims that he used what was in the vial to help his sexual performance. Silva then claimed that the sexual performance supplement contained drostanolone, which is one of the steroids that he tested positive for.
Silva’s longtime nemesis Chael Sonnen is one of many people rolling their eyes at Silva’s defense. He says Silva “insulted everyone’s intelligence” at the hearing.
Sonnen, who failed multiple drug-tests leading up to his fight with Wanderlei Silva last year, said that guys need to stop making up stories after they get popped, and just admit what they did.
“Guys who dig their heels in and come out and deny and lie and refuse to admit the findings of the test have always been treated more harshly. In Anderson’s case, he went down swinging all the way to the end. The defense was very silly and ridiculous. I’m just not sure why he thought he needed to put it up there.”
“These tests are bulletproof. It was found in his system and that’s the end of it. The reason why it was in his system is simply irrelevant. Guys that end up in this spot — and I’m one of those guys, I can tell you from firsthand experience — like to make a big case and a big show about why it was in their system. But look guys, it’s pass-fail. You took and you competed. You’re in violation…. I think ethically, he had the right to turn to the free market or black market if he’s trying to heal his leg. What he cannot do is also compete. He’s got to choose one. He didn’t need to touch on five different dimensions and insult everyone’s intelligence. Just tell everybody, ‘Yeah, I did it.'”
Silva will be free to fight again in February, as his suspension is effective from the date of his most recent fight, and not the date he was actually suspended on. So, in reality, it’s a five-month suspension.
No one really knows if Silva will fight again, and, if he does, no one knows who he’ll fight. Some have tossed around the idea of him fighting a returning Georges St. Pierre if GSP decides he wants to fight again. But, other than that, there isn’t really an obvious opponent out there for “The Spider.”
[Image via Cage Religion]
