UFC suspends Bruno Silva six months for ‘likely unintentional’ anti-doping violation

UFC middleweight Bruno Silva has been suspended for half a year based on a failed April drug test, according to the promotion’s anti-doping wing.

Friday, the UFC anti-doping (CSAD) announced “Blindado” tested positive for 3a-Hydroxy-2a-methyl-5a-androstan-17-one, a metabolite of anabolic steroid drostanolone, through a urine sample submitted April 11.

According to CSAD, Silva submitted urine samples on March 30 and April 30 (prior to being notified of the failure), as well on June 11. All three of those samples came back negative. Though the source of the substance was never detected, CSAD said the levels of the substance are indicative of contamination.

This, combined with Silva’s cooperation throughout the process, lead CSAD to deem the failure “unintentional” and suspend Silva six months.

The drug test failure is Silva’s first under CSAD, though he failed a USADA test and was suspended two years in 2019 for boldenone. CSAD stated Friday it disagreed with USADA’s assessment about the likelihood boldenone could be found in meats, supplements, or creams.

“Because of CSAD’s disagreement with multiple pieces of testimony in the Arruda da Silva arbitration hearing that appear to be inaccurate, as well as the lack of consideration of other sources, CSAD is not treating this violation of the UFC ADP as a second violation,” CSAD wrote Friday.

Silva nor has team has yet commented publicly on the matter. He will be eligible to return to competition Oct. 11. Silva, 35, is on a three-fight skid. He most recently competed in March when he lost in controversial fashion to Chris Weidman.