Saturday's fight between Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz is no longer getting the recognition it received this past weekend, as the UFC announced Tuesday that both competitors failed their drug tests related to the bout.
Francisco Aguilar, chairman of the Nevada State Athletic Commissions (NSAC), confirmed that Silva (34-6) tested positive for the steroid drostanolone during a random out-of-competition test administered by the NSAC. He added that Diaz (26-10) tested positive for marijuana metabolites during a post-fight drug test, according to ESPN.
Silva was also found to have tested positive for a second steroid, androstane, and Diaz's results were found to be higher than 150 ng/ML, which is the permitted level.
The UFC said in a statement that its understanding is that the NSAC will conduct further tests to confirm the preliminary results, ESPN reported.
"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," the UFC added. "UFC is disappointed to learn of these initial results."
The incident marks the first time 39-year-old Silva, who has fought professionally for almost 18 years, has tested positive for any banned substance in his entire career.
Diaz, 31, had tested positive for marijuana in his professional career twice before Tuesday's announcement, the first taking place after a fight with Takanori Gomi at PRIDE 33 in Feb. 2007 and the second coming after a bout with Carlos Condit at UFC 143 in Feb. 2012, MMAjunkie reported.
The UFC said it has a "strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by its athletes."
Silva and Diaz's fight at UFC 183 took place on Jan. 31 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and resulted in a victory for Silva via unanimous decision. The fight was Silva's first since he broke his leg in Dec. 2013.
The NSAC is scheduled to have a meeting on Feb. 17, where Silva and Diaz are expected to receive temporary suspensions and schedule disciplinary hearings before the commission at a later date.
