Anderson Silva And Nick Diaz Fail Drug Tests

Another huge blow to the UFC today, as it was revealed that both UFC 183 headliners Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz failed drug tests ahead of their bout. Kevin Iole of Yahoo broke the story Tuesday evening.

Diaz unsurprisingly tested positive over the limits for marijuana, but the more troubling test was that of Silva testing positive for drostanolone metabolites, in addition to androsterone. Drosotanolone is an anabolic steroid, often used during cutting cycles, whereas androsterone is a form of endogenous testosterone.

Silva's Black House MMA teammates Kevin Casey and Brian Ortega both tested positive for drostanolone in 2014.

Anderson Silva's failed test was a pre-fight test, Diaz's a post-fight test. As of now no punishment for either fighter has been announced. This comes weeks after UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones tested positive for cocaine.

According to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, they are currently unaware of Silva failing any additional tests outside of the one administered January 9. The athletic commission claims they only got the tests back today, and hope to work to cut that time down to a week at most.

The UFC released the following statement:

On February 3, 2015, the UFC organization was notified by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that Anderson Silva tested positive for Drostanolone metabolites on his Jan. 9 out of competition drug test. UFC's understanding is that further testing will be conducted by the Commission to confirm these preliminary results.

Anderson Silva has been an amazing champion and a true ambassador of the sport of mixed martial arts and the UFC, in Brazil as well as around the world. UFC is disappointed to learn of these initial results.

The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by its athletes.