Anderson Silva admits anti-inflammatory use, but insists no steroids

Anderson Silva

Upon hearing news that he failed a drug test in connection with UFC 183, Anderson Silva denied using performance-enhancing drugs, but he admitted he took an anti-inflammatory prior to the Jan. 31 fight, as seen on the fourth episode of “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4.”

The episode features the quarterfinals of a bantamweight tournament and documents Silva’s positive test as it unfolds. The ex-champ is seen answering a call from his co-manager, Ed Soares, following a training session with his team.

“What?” the ex-champ asks, according to the UFC’s translation of his native Portuguese. “What do you mean?”

“No, I didn’t take anything,” he continues as the camera adjusts to capture his face. “Hear me out. I never took anything like that. No way. I’ve never taken anything. I did take anti-inflammatory shots.

“No way! I’m telling you I didn’t do it! Are you crazy? I took hydroxocobalamin for three days. That was the only thing I took.”

An out-of-competition urine test conducted on behalf of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which regulated UFC 183, on Jan. 9 found the presence of two steroids: drostanolone and androstane. A post-fight urine test conducted Jan. 31 also found drostanolone, as well as a pair of over-the-counter benzodiazepines used to treat anxiety and insomnia.

In the UFC’s translation, the anti-inflammatory is noted as hydroxocobalamin. However, several native Portuguese speakers who listened to the clip told MMAjunkie that the substance Silva names is dexalgen.

Hydroxocobalamin is a natural form of B-12 and is used, according to online medical sources, as an injectable to treat a deficiency of the vitamin. Dexalgen, meahwhile, contains vitamin B-12, metamizole and dexamethasone – an anti-inflammatory steroid.

During the “TUF” episode, after hearing the bad news, Silva tells strength and conditioning coach Rogerio Camoes that “some illegal substance showed up.” Talking to UFC cameras, he again denies PED use.

Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz

“I’ve never used any anabolic steroid to fight or to improve my performance,” said an emotional Silva (34-6 MMA, 17-2 UFC), who earned a decision win over Nick Diaz (26-10 MMA, 7-7 UFC) in UFC 183’s pay-per-view headliner.

Silva tells Soares to call his wife, Dayane, and get his prescriptions.

“What a mess!” Silva then tells Camoes in the “TUF” locker room. The two have a pointed exchange:

“You didn’t take it?” Camoes asks.

“For Christ’s sake, Master!” Silva responds.

“You didn’t take steroids?” Camoes asks.

“No, Master! I’ve never taken any of that! Are you crazy? Am I crazy? I’ve never taken any of that,” Silva persists. “I don’t know what happened.”

Silva elects not to pass the news of his positive test to his team as bantamweight Reginaldo Vieira prepares to represent him. Later, though, following the event’s weigh-ins, he delivers an emotional speech.

“Listen up, guys,” he explains in the Team Silva locker room. “I failed a drug test. The athletic commission decided that I must stand down.”

“You can’t give up on your dreams. Maintain your focus in the game. Continue to be disciplined; remember everything you went through to get here. You cannot allow anything to strip this away from you. Got it? I’m asking this as a brother and a friend – maintain your focus.”

Camoes steps in with a few words for Silva, who fights back tears along with several members of his team.

“No matter what happens, Anderson, nothing will change,” Camoes says. “No one can take away everything that you’ve achieved in this sport. So no matter what happens, everyone in this sport truly respects and admires you.

“You are our hero. You’re not going away. Your spirit remains with us. We’re strong, and we know you’ll get through this. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. You’re Anderson Silva, and you’ve made history. Anderson is a man of honor. Let’s honor his name and his team. Let’s honor our country. Let’s go.”

The team then prays before Silva gives an exit interview with the UFC.

“I hope they fight great bouts and manage to fulfill their dreams,” he tells the camera. “Many will fall. There’s no other way. It’s a game. I’ll be cheering for all of them.”

Silva, who denied PED use in a formal statement, recently requested and received an extension to formally respond to the NSAC’s complaint against him. He’s currently suspended pending a formal hearing on the matter, likely in May.

After initially backing Silva, the UFC supported the NSAC’s request to remove him from “TUF: Brazil 4.” In recent weeks, the ex-champ has made headlines by lobbying to compete for his native Brazil in taekwondo in the 2016 Olympics as well as talking up a rematch with Diaz.

For complete coverage of UFC 183, check out the UFC Events section of the site.