Several fighters have tested positive for the use of steroids or performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in MMA. Moreover, there have been some who were able to escape from drug tests. UFC Hall of Famer and commentator Michael Bisping recently posted a YouTube video. He reiterated the instance when former UFC fighter Wanderlei Silva fled to Brazil to avoid a random drug test.

The MMA community knows Wanderlei Silva to be one of the most vicious and ferocious fighters in the history of the sport. He was one of the most intimidating fighters at the peak of his career. However, the ‘Axe Murderer’ was one of the few fighters to escape scrutiny by the UFC.

Michael Bisping claims to have been robbed of a win against Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva inspired the UFC Hall of Famer and former middleweight champion when he first entered the sport of MMA. Bisping said, “Wanderlei was a legendary fighter and one of the guys that really inspired me when I started my mixed martial arts career.” 

‘The Count’ stated that he always wanted to fight the legendary Brazilian. But when he got the chance at UFC 110, he lost the fight. Bisping believes that he should have won the fight. “Foolishly, I always wanted to fight him and I did get to do that and I was robbed by the judges, by a decision,” said the Hall of Famer.

UFC Hall of Famer narrates the incident when Wanderlei Silva fled to Brazil

‘The Count’ claims that it was obvious that the Brazilian MMA legend used steroids. He mentioned that during Wanderlei Silva’s PRIDE FC days, he didn’t have to go through drug tests in that organization. Bisping said, “He [Wanderlei Silva] did all this in an organization [Pride FC] that specifically told fighters, in writing, that they’d not be tested for performance-enhancing drugs.” Bisping then talks about some of the PRIDE FC fighters who jumped ship to UFC, but weren’t as successful as they were in their former promotion because Dana White’s promotion conducted drug tests.

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Then, ‘The Count’ talks about the fight between Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen at UFC 175 in 2014. They were indulged in a heated rivalry that guaranteed big PPV sales. However, that didn’t come to fruition. The NSAC made a surprise visit to Silva’s Las Vegas gym for a random drug test. Sonnen said, “Nevada State Athletic Commission [NSAC] showed up at Wanderlei’s Las Vegas gym to conduct a random drug test. According to reports in the media, Wanderlei refused.” Bisping added, “Wanderlei legged it out the side door and he kept legging it all the way to Brazil.”

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Michael Bisping stated that the NSAC reprimanded ‘The Axe Murderer’ even though he fled to Brazil. “By the time he landed [in Brazil], Nevada was already in the process of suspending him from competition. And this all resulted in Wanderlei Silva being banned for life from the sport of MMA along with a $70,000 fine.”

Wanderlei Silva is one of many fighters who received a lifelong ban from the sport of MMA. But fans still remember him as one of the best to have stepped into the octagon.

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