Dana White Says Anderson Silva Will Still Coach Upcoming Season of ‘TUF: Brazil’

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It has been a tumultuous week for Anderson Silva, but testing positive for anabolic steroids will not affect his coaching role on the upcoming fourth season of “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.”

UFC President Dana White issued a statement Wednesday regarding the former middleweight champion’s status on the reality show, which is currently filming in Las Vegas. Silva will coach opposite Mauricio Rua on “TUF: Brazil 4,” but the two Octagon veterans are not scheduled to fight at the conclusion of the season.

“Anderson Silva has been one of the greatest athletes this sport has ever seen. He has had a long and distinguished career in mixed martial arts. In his nine years with the UFC, Anderson has never tested positive for a banned substance,” White said. “In light of this, we want to ensure that Anderson gets his due process and we will support him during this time. While this process plays out, Anderson will continue in his role as coach of ‘The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.’ Of course we will continue to monitor the actions of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.”

Silva tested positive for drostanolone metabolites and androsterone in a out-of-competition drug test administered on Jan. 9. The NAC did not receive the results of Silva’s test from the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory in Salt Lake City until three days after his victory over Nick Diaz at UFC 183.

“The Spider” is expected to be notified of his temporary suspension at an NAC meeting on Feb. 17. Further punishment will be decided when Silva appears before the commission at a later date. Silva has denied that he used any performance enhancing drugs.

“We fully support the commission’s out-of-competition drug testing program, which we have financed when requested over the past two years. Testing of this nature is important to help keep the sport clean,” White said. “The director at the laboratory in Salt Lake City has now explained the timing of Anderson’s test results and why the commission and the UFC did not receive the results until Feb. 3, after the fight.

“Once all the results have been made public and the Nevada State Athletic Commission has rendered its decision, we will respect the process and move forward accordingly.”