UFC’s Anderson Silva suspended for one year for steroids

UFC middleweight fighter Anderson Silva has been suspended one year by the Nevada Athletic Commission after testing positive for steroids following his unanimous decision victory over Nick Diaz at UFC 183.

Silva, 40, made his return to the octagon on Jan. 31 more than a year after his last fight against current middleweight champion Chris Weidman, in which he broke his leg. His win has also been overturned and he’s been fined $380,000.

“The UFC organization maintains a strict, consistent policy against the use of any illegal and/or performance enhancing drugs, stimulants or masking agents by its athletes, and fully supports the Commission’s ongoing efforts to ensure clean competition by all MMA athletes,” the organization said in a statement.

The Brazilian former longtime champion failed tests before and after the fight. The positive tests, Silva’s camp said, were the result of him taking a supplement to improve sexual performance.

“I am human and made mistakes,” Silva told the Nevada Athletic Commission, according to ESPN. “It definitely was a mistake. If I had known this supplement that I was taking for something else would have caused this sort of problem, I never would have taken it.”

Silva (33-6) will be eligible for reinstatement on Jan. 31, 2016, contingent on his ability to submit a clean drug test.

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Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme