The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has not one, but two huge problems following the latest event, UFC 183, held in Las Vegas on Jan. 31. Both headliners -- former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz, who lost to Silva in a unanimous decision -- were busted for substance abuse: Silva for steroids and Diaz for marijuana.
Silva failed a pre-fight test, administered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) on Jan. 9, with the results coming in on Feb. 3, two days after the fight. He tested positive for two performance enhancing drugs: drostanolone and androsterone.
While further testing will now be administered to confirm these results, UFC said in a statement it was "disappointed" by the preliminary results.
The organization also released a statement regarding Diaz, who has tested positive for marijuana metabolites following the fight.
"The UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by our athletes. As a result of his positive test, Diaz has been informed that he has violated the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and Promotional Agreement with Zuffa, LLC," UFC wrote in a statement.
While Diaz has had issues with marijuana before, failing another test in 2012, Silva -- a long-time champion with one of the best fighting records (34 - 6) in the organization -- has never failed a drug test before. In fact, in an Oct. 2014 interview with MMAJunkie, he called for stricter punishment of steroid abusers.
The news comes at an awkward time for the UFC, whose current lightweight champion Jon Jones tested positive for cocaine on Dec. 4, 2014.
Some critics claim the UFC is not doing enough to prevent the abuse of performance enhancing drugs. According to Dr. Johnny Benjamin, a surgeon and author who voiced his opinion on Twitter, the fact that it took the NSAC nearly a month to get the results of Silva's test is fishy.
By their actions the NSAC has proven they are far more effective at protecting fight card than they are at protecting fighters' safety— Dr. Johnny Benjamin (@DrJCBenjamin) February 4, 2015
The solution has always been clear. Hire independent, highly qualified agency like VADA. The real question is why won't they do it???— Dr. Johnny Benjamin (@DrJCBenjamin) February 4, 2015
Several fighters took to Twitter after the news, voicing their dissatisfaction with UFC's drug testing policy.
Someone once told me "If you're in the top 10 in UFC you're on something!" Looks more and more true with every major fight. Sad to hear.— Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) February 4, 2015
WoW! @ufc has a lot of explaining to do. #SAD day in the ufc world. Crazy how Dana can control if they fight or not.The mighty dollar! LOL— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) February 4, 2015
If the initial tests are confirmed, both fighters could be fined and suspended. According to ESPN, both men will likely be temporarily suspended at the NSAC's next meeting, on Feb. 17, pending full disciplinary hearings.