On Aug. 21, Wanderlei Silva’s lawyer, Ross Goodman, filed a motion to dismiss the disciplinary complaint against his client for evading a random drug test related to his then-scheduled bout with Chael Sonnen at UFC 175 on July 5.
On Tuesday, the Nevada Athletic Commission denied Goodman’s motion and banned Silva for life as well as fined him $70,000.
Deputy Attorney General Christopher Eccles suggested to the commission that Silva be given the harshest penalty possible.
“I’m suggesting that you send a message that Mr. Silva will never be licensed here,” said Eccles. “Running from a test, it’s really terrible for the sport. It’s terrible for all the clean athletes out there. I am asking that you tell him that you’ll never be licensed here. You are done.”
In a June commission hearing, Silva admitted to willfully avoiding taking the random drug test. During the meeting, the commission’s sample collection agent gave a detailed description of the steps he took to track Silva down in order to collect the required blood and urine samples necessary for a random drug test. He also detailed how after contacting him in person at the Wand Fight Team gym, Silva fled the site.
Silva explained that he ducked out on the drug test because he was using prescribed anti-inflammatories and diuretics for a wrist injury. Diuretics are on the banned substance list.
“I think this is worse than taking drugs. We cannot have fighters running from drug test,” said Commissioner Bill Brady on Tuesday.
Silva announced his retirement from fighting on Sept. 19. The lifetime ban ensures that he will remain retired.
