Thiago Silva Pulled from WSOF 22 by Commission; Mike Kyle Now Fights Clifford Starks

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Light heavyweight Thiago Silva has been removed from Saturday’s World Series of Fighting card after being declared ineligible to compete by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

The 32-year-old Brazilian failed to attend a commission hearing in order to seek relicensing, a necessary step for fighters previously suspended in Nevada. In 2011, Silva was issued a one-year suspension by the NAC after tampering with his UFC 125 urine test in an attempt to mask steroids.

“We hope that Thiago will take the steps necessary to be in compliance with the state athletic commission so that he can make a quick return to action,” WSOF President Ray Sefo said in a statement.

Silva signed with WSOF in January and was slotted into the company’s four-man light heavyweight tournament, where he was upset by last-second replacement Teddy Holder in the opening round.

WSOF officials on Tuesday announced that Silva’s opponent, Mike Kyle, will instead face Clifford Starks on Saturday. The 205-pound bout will be part of the NBCSN-televised main card of WSOF 22 “Palhares vs. Shields,” which takes place at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Kyle, 35, snapped a three-fight losing skid in March when he scored a first-round submission of Baga Agaev in Abu Dhabi. Starks enters the bout on a three-fight winning streak, including a victory over Jake Heun in his March promotional debut, a fight the 34-year-old accepted on less than one day’s notice.