Anderson Silva Flagged For Potential USADA Violation, Out Of UFC Shanghai
Anderson Silva Flagged For Potential USADA Violation, Out Of UFC Shanghai
Anderson Silva is out of his upcoming UFC Shanghai bout vs. Kelvin Gastelum after getting flagged by USADA for a potential violation.
Who's excited to watch Anderson Silva vs. Kelvin Gastelum Nov. 25 at UFC Fight Night 122 in Shanghai?
Everyone with your hands up, I have some bad news.
Silva has been pulled from the bout after getting flagged by USADA for a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from a sample taken Oct. 26.
The UFC released the statement Friday.
"The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Anderson Silva of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on October 26, 2017. As a result, Silva has been provisionally suspended by USADA. Due to the proximity of Silva’s upcoming scheduled bout at UFC Fight Night, Shanghai, China on November 25, 2017 against Kelvin Gastelum, Silva has been removed from the card and UFC is currently seeking a replacement.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Silva. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair legal process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward."
Silva is 1-4 with one no-contest in his last six contests, most recently defeating Derek Brunson via decision at UFC 208 in February.
The no-contest came at UFC 183, where he originally defeated Nick Diaz via unanimous decision but later tested positive for drostanolone and androsterone, two illegal performance-enhancing drugs.
He was suspended one year for that infraction.
No word has yet been given on a potential replacement for Gastelum at the event.