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In July, following a dominating Elite XC heavyweight championship victory over Justin Eilers, Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (12-1) tested positive for the steroid Boldenone and was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) for a full year and fined $2,500.

Claiming his innocence, Silva took matters into his own hands and appealed the ruling in October. However, these things have more of a guilty until proven innocent theme to them instead of the other way around.

And the commission’s final decision was to uphold the suspension when Silva’s defense did not appear to sway the initial finding.

With his fight career being his family’s main source of income, sitting out for a full year was not an option for the Brazilian. He decided to disregard the punishment and take a fight in Japan where the CSAC’s suspension would not be recognized.

The big man’s manager Alex Davis released this statement in early December regarding his client’s decision to fight in Japan in spite of the CSAC’s suspension:

“Antonio has decided to fight, he really has no option. He’s innocent, he’s tried to prove it and it fell on unwilling ears, and he has financial commitments that to not meet would have serious consequences for him. In light of these, he has decided to continue his career in Japan until when and if his situation with the CSAC is resolved.”

While “Bigfoot” was victorious in the fight on January 4 against Yoshihiro Nakao, he still may have come away a loser. Apparently, the CSAC didn’t take to kindly to him ignoring its suspension and its decided to take action.

On February 10, the commission will meet to discuss the possibility of revoking Silva’s license to fight in the United States. In addition, team members and trainers who worked his corner in Japan will be dealt with as accomplices and could be punished as well.

Silva knew there would be consequences for his actions if he ignored the suspension. We’ll have to wait until February 10 to find out just how severe those consequences are, but this doesn’t look good for the Brazilian giant right now.

He may just have to get used to fighting in Japan.

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The year-long suspension handed down to the first and only Elite XC Heavyweight Champion, Antonio Silva (11-1), following his positive steroid test in July apparently won’t keep the Brazilian giant from competing after all.

The Japanese promotion World Victory Road has signed “Bigfoot” to compete on its next Sengoku event scheduled to take place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, on January 4. Yoshihiro Nakao (7-1) — the man who Heath Herring infamously knocked out before their fight even started after getting kissed — has been confirmed as his opponent.

As of right now Silva is eligible to re-apply for a license to fight in the United States in July of 2009, but taking a fight in another country that doesn’t recognize the suspension is not going to look good on that application. In fact, he could face an uphill battle in the future with this move.

Reports have surfaced that the CSAC sent the Brazilian a letter claiming if he takes the fight in Japan that he’s risking a permanent loss of license in the state of California. There have also been rumors that other commissions, most notably the Nevada State Athletic Commision (NSAC) - would follow suit with a similar penalty.

Silva was left with no choice according to manager Alex Davis.

From his recent email to Sherdog.com :

"Antonio has decided to fight, he really has no option. He’s innocent, he’s tried to prove it and it fell on unwilling ears, and he has financial commitments that to not meet would have serious consequences for him. In light of these, he has decided to continue his career in Japan until when and if his situation with the CSAC is resolved."

Silva is still claiming his innocence and hoping that his name will eventually be cleared. Since the CSAC has already heard - and denied - Silva’s appeal, there’s no reason to believe they’ll suddenly change their minds.

Silva is risking a lot, probably too much, to take this fight. We won’t know for sure what happens until he applies for another license in the states again icome summer 2009, but none of this sounds very good for Bigfoot in the long run.

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The year-long suspension handed down to the first and only Elite XC Heavyweight Champion, Antonio Silva (11-1), following his positive steroid test in July apparently won’t keep the Brazilian giant from competing after all.

The Japanese promotion World Victory Road has signed “Bigfoot” to compete on its next Sengoku event scheduled to take place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, on January 4. Yoshihiro Nakao (7-1) — the man who Heath Herring infamously knocked out before their fight even started after getting kissed — has been confirmed as his opponent.

As of right now Silva is eligible to re-apply for a license to fight in the United States in July of 2009, but taking a fight in another country that doesn’t recognize the suspension is not going to look good on that application. In fact, he could face an uphill battle in the future with this move.

Time will tell.

Silva is undefeated as a heavyweight with wins over Wesley “Cabbage” Correira, Jonathan Wiezorek, Ricco Rodriquez and Justin Eilers under the Elite XC banner.

Nakao is probably best known for his “fight” against Heath Herring at a K-1 event on New Year’s Eve in 2005. The bout was ruled a no contest when Herring struck and knocked out the Japanese fighter during the pre-fight staredown after a bizarre attempt at intimidation from Nakao turned into a straight up kiss on the lips.

In Herring’s defense, there’s probably a lot of fighters out there who would have done the same thing. Nonetheless, Nakao will always be known as “the guy that kissed Heath Herring and got knocked out before the fight even began.”

It was extremely weird to say the least.

Since that time Nakao has compiled a record of (3-1), including his most recent second round knockout of Jim York at another Sengoku event in May. He holds notable career wins over Don “The Master” Frye and Cabbage Correira.

Former Pride FC Lightweight Champion Takanori Gomi will face off against Satoru Kitaoka for the vacant World Victory Road title in the night’s featured bout. In addition, Strikeforce fighter Kazuo Misaki will battle three fight UFC veteran Jorge Santiago for the company’s vacant middleweight strap.

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“There was no appellation. The suspension stays. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. The Commission showed that doesn’t like MMA fighter, mainly Brazilian. Sean Sherk took nandrolone, it was proved, but they reduced his punishment, but with me they didn’t leave.”

Elite XC Heavyweight Champion Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva shares his disappointment with Tatame.com about the recent decision made by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC)  to uphold his year-long suspension and $2,500 fine for testing positive for the anabolic steroid Boldenone following his win over Justin Eilers in July.

Silva’s manager, Alex Davis added this:

“The commission didn’t prove Bigfoot`s fault, there are doubts, but anything proved, and then the facts pass to be unimportant, and the opinion of six or seven commissionaires, who doesn’t understand anything about chemistry, predominate. The Commission, although have not proved the facts, continue to keep the suspension. We’ll sit down and see what we can do.”

Basically, Silva’s management doesn’t believe their client got a fair shake with the CSAC, but at this point it looks like “Bigfoot” will have to take it on the chin and serve the suspension regardless of his guilt or innocence.

The suspension will keep the first and only Elite XC heavyweight champion out of action until at least July 26, 2009. He has the option to fight outside the United States during this time; however, it would be heavily discouraged and frowned upon by the CSAC and other regulatory bodies nationwide.

Thanks to CombatLifestyle.com for the photo of Antonio Silva.

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The first and only Elite XC Heavyweight Champion Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva did not get the result he was looking for today when his appeal to the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) was denied.

The Brazilian filed an appeal with the CSAC after testing positive for the anabolic steroid Boldenone following his win over Justin Eilers to capture the vacant heavyweight strap at ‘Unfinished Business’ back on July 19.

“Bigfoot” will be forced to serve the original one year suspension and pay a $2,500 fine.

His appeals case was based around the fact that he suffers from the medical condition known as Acromegaly, which is more commonly referred to as “Gigantism” and that a tumor in his body caused
excessive amounts of testosterone to be released into his system.

While that may be true, Boldenone is an artificial drug developed for veterinary use - primarily on horses. It’s not recommended for use by humans, much less naturally residing within us.

Often Boldenone is confused with another anabolic steroid called Nandrolone, which is naturally present in the human body up to certain levels. That’s what Sean Sherk, Royce Gracie and even Roger Clemens have been accused of using to enhance performance.

Unfortunately for any users of Boldenone, it has a long half-life, which means it can be detected for up to a year and a half after use. Phil Baroni, Stephan Bonner and Josh Barnett have all dealt with positive drug tests for Boldenone.

Now an apparent free agent in the MMA world after the demise of Elite XC, “Bigfoot” will be out of action until July 26, 2009.

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Elite XC Heavyweight Champion Antonio Silva’s appeal hearing will take place at the Ronald Reagan State Building in Los Angeles, Calif., on October 22, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. PT. The champ tested positive for the anabolic steroid Boldenone following his win over Justin Eilers to capture the first-ever (and this vacant) strap on July 19.

Since that time “Bigfoot,” his management team and American Top Team (ATT) camp have claimed innocence. Here’s a statement released from the Brazilian after the test results were revealed:

“Dear Family, Friends, Fans and Public, I did not use the steroid Boldenone, or any other steroid of prohibited substance. I don’t agree and never have agreed with the use of this kind of product in order to win, for this is cheating. I will go to the full extent of my power and the law to prove my innocence in this matter.”

Silva’s case is based around the fact that he suffers from the medical condition known as Acromegaly, which is more commonly referred to as “Gigantism.”

Here’s an explanation of the disease given on Wikipedia.com:

“Acromegaly is a syndrome that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone (HGH) after epiphyseal plate closure. A number of disorders may be affecting the pituitary to create this circumstance, although most commonly it involves a GH producing tumor derived from a distinct type of cells (somatotrophs) and called pituitary adenoma. Acromegaly most commonly affects adults in middle age and can result in severe disfigurement, serious complicating conditions and premature death if unchecked. Because of its insidious pathogenesis and slow progression, the disease is hard to diagnose in the early stages and is frequently missed for many years, when changes in external features, especially of the face, become noticeable.”

Silva’s manager Alex Davis maintains that, “It would be completely insensible or even dangerous to make use of any other steroids or substances that could worsen that kind of problem.”

We’ll find out on October 22 if his argument can stand up in a court of law. Traditionally, the California commission has been one of the toughest states on steroid use, but this sounds like medical proof that he at least would have an abnormal level in his system.

Whether that means he did or did not take anything extra on top of that is for the commission officials to decide.

Elite XC has stood by its champ throughout this difficult time and he was even seen this weekend at “Heat” in Sunrise, Fla., carrying around his championship belt. For now, he remains the company’s Heavyweight Champion until the CSAC hands down its final decision.

He faces a 12-month suspension and fine if the finding is upheld.

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“Antonio (Silva) is the EliteXC heavyweight champ and he will continue to be the heavyweight champ until he has his day in front of the commission. When the commission comes and levies down on him with whatever ruling they have, EliteXC will huddle up and we will figure out what we want to do about the title at that point.”

– Elite XC Vice President Jared Shaw stands behind his suspended heavyweight champion via MMAWeekly.com, taking an innocent until proven guilty approach. Silva tested positive for steroids following his title winning fight against Justin Eilers on July 26. Some would say that’s pretty solid proof of guilt, but Silva and his camp are arguing that a tumor in the champ’s body has caused an abnormal dose of testosterone to be released into his system. I’m no doctor, but if that’s true, it sounds like a legitimate reason for the failed test. It’s still hard to believe a man the size of Silva, who cuts weight to make the heavyweight limit of 265 pounds would take anything that would add more mass to his already enormous frame, especially before a fight with Eilers — who is one of the smaller heavyweights in mixed martial arts. At least Elite XC is giving him the chance to make his case. The promotion deserves some credit for that.

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“We respect the California commission and the job they do. We always enjoy working with them and work very well together. The illegal use of steroids is a problem in all major sports, including mixed martial arts. We certainly do not condone the use of steroids. But we also support, trust and have confidence in our fighter, Antonio Silva, who has denied ever taken any illegal substance, including steroids, and is prepared to challenge the results of the California Commission. So until all the facts are known and a final decision is rendered, EliteXC will reserve making any further comments at this time.’’

– Head of EliteXC Fight Operations, Jeremy Lappen, issues a formal response on behalf of the organization regarding the news today that its heavyweight champion, Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, tested positive for steroids following his win over Justin Eilers to capture the vacant heavyweight strap on July 19. Silva and his management declared his innocence earlier today via the UnderGround forum. It looks like this is Déjà vu all over again for the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) — the UFC has recently been down a similar path with one of its champions, Sean Sherk.

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From California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) Acting Assistant Executive Officer Bill Douglas:

“Reigning Elite XC World Heavyweight Champion Antonio Silva Jr., who last competed on July 26 in Stockton, has tested positive for Boldenone. Independent tests were conducted by Quest Diagnostics for the ‘A’ Sample and Laboratoire De Controle Du Dopage for the ‘B’ Sample. He has been suspended for one year retroactive to the conclusion of the bout and fined $2,500.”

More on this breaking news shortly.

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Click the banner above or right here for up-to-the-minute results and blow-by-blow coverage of Elite XC: “Unfinished Business.”

Quick results of the prelim fights will begin to flow around 7:30 p.m. ET. And LIVE blow-by-blow, round-by-round coverage of the main card action will start at 8:00 p.m. ET with Showtime telecast and then continue at 9 p.m. ET for the action when it begins on CBS.

If you’re going to leave comments and discuss the fights with all the other MMAmania.com readers be sure to do it on the main Elite XC results post and not this one.