Bisping challenging legacy of former champ Silva ahead of London clash
Even after he lost his belt to Chris Weidman when he was knocked out more than two years ago and suffered another defeat when he broke his leg in the rematch, former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champ Anderson Silva was still widely recognized as one of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts history.
That legacy finally started to take a hit when he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs both before and after his comeback fight, a unanimous decision win over Nick Diaz in January 2015.
The result was changed to a no contest and Silva was suspended from competition for a year.
Those were the tangible effects of the failed test.
How Silva is viewed historically in light of the result is still to be determined.
The 40-year-old Brazilian hopes to continue competing in a new era of enhanced testing for UFC athletes, proving he can do so cleanly and that the failed test was simply a one-time mistake.
Silva, however, has shied away from discussing the issue. During a disciplinary hearing in front of the Nevada Athletic Commission, he claimed a tainted sexual performance drug as well a sleep medication were responsible for the failed tests.
He quickly changes the subject when queried by reporters. often expressing disbelief at such interest in what he insists is a personal matter. Silva told ESPN this week he was uncomfortable with how the hearing transpired, particularly due to poor communication through a translator.
One day, he hopes to clear his name.
Silva, however, has not had much cooperation from his opponent as he prepares to return to action in the main event of Saturday’s UFC card in London.
Michael Bisping has not only been outspoken about SIlva’s transgression, but has openly called him a cheater and has tormented Silva on the subject at several promotional appearances.
After both fighters weighed in for the main event bout on Friday, Bisping once again took aim at the man who held the middleweight belt for much of the time Bisping was a top contender.
“This man is a cheat. This man is a fraud,” Bisping said as he pointed at Silva on the stage. “I will make you pay for your mistakes tomorrow. All the needles in your ass, all the steroids in the world will not help you, you (expletive).”
Silva has been visibly frustrated several times by Bisping’s bluster, but has maintained his cool on the record.
“I don’t care if Bisping talks too much,” he said earlier this week. “I came to finish my job. I have my mission, and my mission is to come on Saturday and win. Done, that’s it.”
Bisping unsuccessfully lobbied for a shot against Silva for several years. He will finally get it in his home country, though no belt is on the line.
Still, it represents a major opportunity for the 36-year-old Manchester native who now resides in Southern California.
The bout headlines a card that will stream exclusively on the UFC’s online platform, Fight Pass. Preliminary fights begin at 9:45 a.m. PST, with the main card beginning at 1 p.m.
A middleweight bout between Thales Leites and Gegard Mousasi is also featured on the card.
— Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj
