UFC fighter Anderson Silva spoke out for the first time about his failed doping tests, which became public following his win over Nick Diaz on Jan. 31 at UFC 183. "The Spider" denied ever using performance-enhancing substances and seemed optimistic his name would be cleared upon further analysis of his samples, according to a post he published Thursday on Instagram.
Silva took to Instagram to defend himself, telling his fans he didn't cheat and pointing to the fact he's never once tested positive for banned substances.
Per Silva's Instagram:
"What matters to me now is the respect from those who have followed my career. I bled, struggled and fought because I love it and because I always wanted to honor the flag of the country I love so much.
"I don't know what to apologize for, because I am still waiting for the results and analysis from the specialists that are working to reveal the truth. Everything that I took since my injury are being analyzed. I look for the truth as much as all those who were surprised with the results. I always played clean, I was never a cheater.
"In eighteen years of my career, I never had a problem with exams. In and out of the Octagon I never slipped in compliance with the principles that always guided me. ... I never used any substances to better my performance in my fights. I love what I do and I would never risk what I took so long to build.
"I think that the hurry some people have to condemn me is unfair. The time it takes to destroy a reputation is infinitely less than that is taken to build it. I am the one who is most eager to settle this situation. I want those who have always supported me to know that I am still fighting for all the sad happenings of this situation to be cleared."
Silva is currently awaiting the test results from his "B" samples. In the meantime, the Nevada Athletic Commission handed Silva a temporary suspension this week for his failed drug tests, according to Yahoo Sports.
