Antonio Silva Fails Post-Fight Drug Test, Will Be Suspended for 9 Months

Antonio Silva failed his UFC Fight Night 33 post-fight drug test, according to a recent report from MMAjunkie.com. 

Despite getting the green light to use testosterone replacement therapy, Silva tested positive for elevated testosterone levels. Now, the former title challenger will face a nine-month suspension, and he will lose his $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus, which will now be awarded to his opponent at the event, Mark Hunt. 

Additionally, Silva's record will now reflect a no-contest, while Hunt will retain the original result of a draw. 

For fight fans, this is disappointing news as the main event between "Bigfoot" and Hunt went down as an instant classic between two inhumanely tough heavyweights. The fight seemed to defy the limits of the human body and spirit, and Silva, for his part, was under the influence of some laboratory-crafted enhancement. 

This marks the second time Silva has failed a post-fight drug test in his career, the first instance coming in August 2008 after an Elite XC heavyweight title championship victory over former UFC fighter Justin Eilers. There, Silva tested positive for Boldenone, a steroid which has also cost fighters like Josh Barnett and Phil Baroni. 

Silva and his camp vehemently denied this past test result, saying that taking any kind of steroid would greatly endanger the heavyweight fighter because of his pre-existing acromegaly, or "gigantism." 

Due to this condition, Silva's body already produces an overabundance of growth hormone, and taking any additional steroids would put him in grave danger, according to his manager. 

Despite this, Silva again failed his drug test after his clash with Hunt at UFC Fight Night 33. 

"Bigfoot" will have time to sit out, evaluate his options and potentially fight the claim if he feels the need to do so.

For now, this news serves as an unfortunate smear on one of the finest heavyweight fights in UFC history.