Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva failed his post-fight drug test after his epic brawl with Mark Hunt at UFC Fight Night 33 in Australia two weeks ago.
Silva has a testosterone replacement therapy use exemption, but his testosterone levels were so high that he still failed his post-fight test.
“Silva is on a medically approved regimen of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), and had been in compliance with therapeutic guidelines on all pre-fight tests performed prior to the event,” the UFC said in a statement, via MMA Junkie. “The results of his test on the day of the event indicated a level of testosterone outside of allowable limit. Silva has been informed that the elevated testosterone level is a violation of the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and his Promotional Agreement with Zuffa.”
As a result of the failed test, Silva has been suspended nine months and will give back his $50,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus. That money will go to Hunt, who already collected his share of the bonus. Hunt will get credit for the draw, while the result of the fight will be recorded as a “no contest” on Silva’s record.
Silva had low testosterone levels ahead of the fight, which led his doctor to recommend boosting the levels, MMA Junkie reports.
Silva’s manager says the fighter first began using TRT to combat the negative effects of his acromegaly aka gigantism. He was suspended a year in 2008 after a post-fight drug test revealed he had a steroid in his system.
Silva has said in a statement that he followed directions from his doctor concerning the TRT boost and that he did nothing wrong.
