As a UFC fighter who’s had more than his share of opponents who have tested positive for banned substances, Michael Bisping sure knows how to ruffle the feathers of upcoming opponent, Brazilian fighter Anderson Silva, who is just coming off a one-year suspension after a positive drug test.
Positive drug test blamed by Silva on sexual enhancement product
In a Twitter message, Bisping expressed anticipation to seeing Silva in London for their upcoming fight on February 27, then followed it up with “Just leave the Viagra out of it!” Bisping was obviously referring to the Brazilian’s claim before the Nevada State Athletic Commission in August that his testing positive for banned substances can be blamed on a tainted sexual enhancement product from Thailand given to him by a friend before UFC 183, where he fought Nick Diaz. The commission suspended Silva for a year nevertheless.
Random drug testing for upcoming fight
Bisping ended his tweet with the hashtag #randomtesting, reminding Silva that both of them will be undergoing the random drug tests called for by the UFC’s new policy. The United States Anti-Doping Agency will be policing and enforcing the said policy.
Since joining the UFC in 2006, Bisping has already come up against five fighters who have failed drug tests, will Silva set to become the sixth. Of course he has every reason to be concerned about doping. While Silva may be a gifted athlete, doping simply has no place in any sport, regardless of how good you are. Just ask Lance Armstrong.
In my opinion, doping in mixed martial arts should even be punished more severely. At least Armstrong’s sport doesn’t involve pummeling someone else to a pulp. An MMA fighter on performance-enhancing drugs or PEDs could seriously hurt someone after all.
Kudos to the UFC for its stricter drug policy, and to Bisping for fighting the good fight with regards to doping. Great way to hype the fight too.
