Dana White: Wanderlei Silva is in ‘Big Trouble’ for Fleeing Drug Test

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Wanderlei Silva and Dana White have very different views regarding Tuesday’s Nevada Athletic Commission hearing that addressed the Brazilian’s decision to dodge a random drug test.

Silva recently released a video expressing his satisfaction with the proceedings, where attorney Ross Goodman spoke on “The Axe Murder’s” behalf, claiming the fighter was using diuretics to treat a wrist injury suffered in February. While a disciplinary complaint from the NAC is a virtual certainty, Silva seems to think the matter has been settled.

“I was very happy to solve this situation; I was happy to clarify things and say the truth,” Silva said. “I am relieved to have solved this problem. We explained to them the circumstances and that I was not using any PEDs. I injured my wrist in February and after that I felt extreme pain in training. So I was prescribed anti-inflammatories and that made me swell up, so then I started taking diuretics to expel the water out.”

The UFC president sees the situation in a much different light.

"I'm not the athletic commission, but I think he's very wrong," White told UFC.com on Thursday. "I think he's in big trouble. You cannot run away from a test. You can't do it, and it sets a very bad precedent. He would have been better off taking the test and testing positive than running from the test. But I'm not a commission member. Maybe I'm wrong and he's right. We'll see what happens."

Silva was originally supposed to face rival “TUF: Brazil 3” coach Chael Sonnen at UFC 175, but that bout was scrapped entirely ahead of the hearing. Sonnen retired last week after it was revealed he tested positive for banned substances Anastrozole and Clomiphene during a random, out-of-competition screening in May. The former middleweight and light heavyweight title challenger received a temporary suspension on Tuesday.

Silva says in the video that he has never used steroids or PEDs. The former Pride Fighting Championships star remains hopeful of a potential bout with either Sonnen or Vitor Belfort, who must be licensed by the NAC before he can step into the Octagon.

Whether Silva eventually gets his choice of opponent is unknown. According to White, Silva is at the mercy of the NAC, and no plans will made until they decide the fighter’s fate.

"He (Silva) and I have always dealt well with each other. Running from the test is as bad as it gets, though," White said. "Basically the Nevada State Athletic Commission is the judge and the jury, and they're going to handle it. Whatever happens, he will have his sentence and do whatever the commission says. Once he's through that, he and I will be cool."