Bigfoot drops hard-fought decision in Russia

Back in 2012/2013, Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva beat Alistair Overeem and Travis Browne back to back. Then he lost a rematch with Cain Velasquez, and followed that up with a draw vs. Mark Hunt in arguably the greatest fight in MMA history.

The majority draw with Mark Hunt was changed to a No Contest after Silva tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone. Silva had a Therapeutic Use Exemption for Testosterone Replacement Therapy, but through a miscommunication with his MD, his levels edge too high.

The number of athletes who legitimately need TRT is extremely low, but as Bigfoot’s manager Alex Davis explained Bigfoot’s case it is a medical necessity in Silva’s case. Never the less, TRT was ended for all, leaving him at a significant disadvantage.

Since TRT was banned in MMA, Bigfoot has gone just 1-6. Silva and the UFC amicably parted ways, and he recently fought Ivan Shtyrkov at RCC Boxing Promotions in Yekaterinburg, Russia. While there are questions about his chin, not a single person ever has questioned Bigfoot’s heart. In Russia, although Bigfoot lost a decision, both his heart and chin were put to a tough test, and came through.

The first round was close, the second round was a brutal near finish for Shtyrkov, and in the third, the now 37-year-old Bigfoot came battling back.

With the win, Shtyrkov moves to 5-0.