Thiago Silva removed from WSoF over 2011 drug test issue

Thiago Silva has been removed from Saturday’s WSoF 22 main card by the Nevada Athletic Commission, for unresolved issues surrounding a past suspension. He has been replaced by Clifford Starks vs. Mike Kyle.

The 34-year-old Starks is coming off a second round win via arm-triangle of Jake Heun at WSOF 19. The victory was Starks’ third straight, and second consecutive finish.

In 2011 at UFC 125 Silva submitted a fake urine sample to the NAC, and was suspended. Silva has not fought in Nevada since. The NAC declined to approve the bout on Saturday until Silva appears at a hearing to answer concerns around the incident. The next hearing is scheduled in August.

We hope that Thiago will take the steps necessary to be in compliance with the state athletic commission so that he can make a quick return to action, said WSoF president Ray Sefo. In the meantime, we appreciate Clifford Starks’ willingness to take the fight against Mike Kyle on just a few days’ notice, and look forward to having him compete for us again after putting on a great show in the WSoF cage in March.

WSoF 22

Saturday, Aug 1, 2015 

The Axis at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino

Las Vegas, Nevada

Main Card (NBCSN, 11 p.m. ET)

Rousimar Palhares (champion) vs. Jake Shields – for welterweight title

Marlon Moraes (champion) vs. Sheymon Moraes – for bantamweight title

Mike Kyle vs. Clifford Starks

Jorge Moreno vs. Abubakar Nurmagomedov

Islam Mamedov vs. Jimmy Spicuzza

Prelim Card (Internet, 8 p.m. ET)

Davin Clark vs. Jake Heun

Donavon Frelow vs. Carlos Garcia

Jimmy Jones vs. Marco Simmons

Cory Hendricks vs. Julio Hinojosa

Gil Guardado vs. Pete Martin