Silva: Maybe it was contaminated supplements, I’m not stupid

Anderson Silva is the greatest fighter in UFC history, but his record has an asterisk. Or perhaps two asterisks.

‘The Spider’ failed an anti-doping test administered on January 9, 2015, and speculated it was caused by a tainted erectile dysfunction drug in Thailand. The Nevada State Athletic Commission handed down a $380,000 fine, suspended him for a year, and overturned his win over Nick Diaz. That failure was for the anabolic steroids Drostanolone and Androstane.

Silva again failed an anti-doping test, this one administered on October 26, 2017. The new failure was for the synthetic anabolic steroid Methyltestosterone, and a diuretic. Silva was pulled from a main event fight vs. Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Fight Night 122. USADA is currently investigating.

Silva has posted multiple statements on his social network, noting he was working with USADA to determine the cause of the failure and planned to fight on. Now he has responded for the first time on video, in an interview with TMZ.

Silva was asked if he knowingly took PEDs.

Of course not, he replied, as transcribed by Simon Samano for MMAjunkie. Maybe the supplements I’m using are contaminated. I don’t know. I’m just waiting. Because obviously if I take these steroids, I’m stupid. Because I’m too old. I’m not at the start of my career. I’m [near the] finish.

As this is a second anti-doping test failure, Silva could conceivably be looking at a four-year suspension; he’s 42. ‘The Spider’ was asked if would retire if he received all four years.

I love to fight, said Silva. This is my heart. This is my life.

And Silva repeated a desire of nearly a decade.

Of course, I go fight for Roy Jones, he said. I’m waiting for Mr. Roy. �� That’s my dream. Hopefully this fight comes.