On Wednesday afternoon, NSAC officials informed members of the MMA media via email that all the drug/steroid screening tests had been processed and were negative for participants at UFC 125, save for one. The email included a list of the fighters who had passed, with Thiago Silva’s name missing in a conspicuous manner. Keith Kizer, commissioner of the NSAC, confirmed to MMAFA.tv that Thiago Silva’s samples are still undergoing tests.
“We want to make sure before we go forward with anything,” said Kizer. “We have to protect the rights of the fighter, and that means we have to be certain about everything.”
Though the prolonged testing could be due to a mix up or false positive, this failed to deter MMA fans and media-types from speculating on the matter. Recent reports suggest that Rashad Evans is targeted to replace Thiago Silva for a rematch against UFC star Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. This was due to a reported injury sustained by Silva, but Silva went on to refute the seriousness of the injury and insisted that the match with Jackson was a lock.
Silva, speaking to TATAME.com today, claims that the first sample submitted to the NSAC tested positive for banned substances but his second sample came back negative, clearing the fighter of any wrongdoing.
Keith Kizer informed MMAFA.tv that this is false, and that the results of the second sample might not be known for a while:
“That’s not accurate. We have gotten only the first sample back. It could be weeks before we find out the results for the second test.”