Wanderlei Silva released a video on Wednesday to discuss his appearance before the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Tuesday afternoon. He thinks that he “solved” his problem as it pertains to his evasion of a random drug test back in late May just by explaining that he used diuretics and not steroids.

“I am relieved to have solved this problem,” Silva said in the video. “We explained to them the circumstances and that I was not using any PEDs.”

UFC President Dana White thinks the former PRIDE middleweight champion is very wrong.

“I’m not the athletic commission, but I think he’s very wrong,” White said Thursday afternoon in an exclusive interview with UFC.com. “I think he’s in big trouble. You can not 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.”

Brian Bowles (pictured) tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone following UFC 160. Photo courtesy of MMAWeekly.com.

UFC bantamweight Brian Bowles tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone following his UFC 160 loss to George Roop, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) announced through a mass email on Friday.

Bowles’ test results showed his testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio being 20:1, which is drastically higher than the 6:1 allowance in the state of Nevada.

NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer spoke with MMAjunkie.com, saying that Bowles had not applied for a therapeutic-use exemption for testosterone prior to the UFC 160 card, which took place May 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Kizer added that a suspension will soon follow, according to the reporting outlet.

Bowles has made no public comment since news of his positive test was first reported.

Other fighters, such as Chael Sonnen, have been granted therapeutic-use exemptions in the past leading into their fights in the state of Nevada.

Bowles lost to Roop via second-round technical knockout on the undercard portion of UFC 160.

UFC 160′s Brian Bowles tests positive for elevated testosterone levels

(photo courtesy: MMAWeekly.com)

Josh Barnett. Photo: Esther Lin/Strikefoce

Former heavyweight champion Josh Barnett is back in the UFC.

The last time the Jiu-Jitsu black belt stepped into the cage was in January this year, when he beat Nandor Guelmino, at Strikeforce.

In 2002, the American felt what it’s like to have the title of “most feared man in the world” by defeating Randy Couture by TKO, taking the belt. But the joy was short lived. The fighter was caught in a drug test, and ended up losing not only the title, but his job at the UFC.

Now, after 11 years, the veteran returns to the biggest MMA event in the world, seeking to continue a successful career, marked by 32 wins in 38 fights. In the UFC, Barnett suffered only one setback, the first of his record, against Brazilian Pedro Rizzo.

The heavyweight has no scheduled fight yet, but according to MMAjunkie.com the contract includes several fights.

The post Former champion Josh Barnett returns to the UFC after 11 years first appeared on Graciemag.]]> https://www.graciemag.com/nick-diaz-probably-cut-if-tested-positive-for-marijuana-metabolites-says-ufc-boss/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nick-diaz-probably-cut-if-tested-positive-for-marijuana-metabolites-says-ufc-boss Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:37:05 +0000 https://www.graciemag.com/?p=75362 If UFC welterweight Nick Diaz tests positive for marijuana metabolites following UFC 158, he may get cut from the organization, according to UFC President Dana White. White told reporters on Thursday that the UFC will likely take the action of releasing Diaz if the fighter repeated the offense as he did following his last fight.…

According to UFC President Dana White, Nick Diaz (pictured) will “probably” get cut if he tests positive for marijuana metabolites again. (Photo by Nick Laham/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

If UFC welterweight Nick Diaz tests positive for marijuana metabolites following UFC 158, he may get cut from the organization, according to UFC President Dana White.

White told reporters on Thursday that the UFC will likely take the action of releasing Diaz if the fighter repeated the offense as he did following his last fight.

“Probably,” White said when asked if he’d cut Diaz with another positive test.

Diaz has tested positive for marijuana metabolites two times before, the first time being after his 2007 Pride fight with Takanori Gomi, and the second coming after his UFC 143 loss to Carlos Condit.

Both positive tests prompted the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), the governing body overseeing both fights, to suspend Diaz for a year retroactive to the dates of the fights.

UFC 158 will be Diaz’s first fight back from his last suspension. If he produces another positive test, it may be the last time he’s seen in the Octagon, according to White.

The UFC has said in the past that they have a “strict, consistent policy” regarding illegal substances. The company has viewed use of marijuana, for example, as a breach of contract because of this policy.

Former UFC fighter Matt Riddle was the last athlete cut from the organization stemming from a positive test for marijuana metabolites.

“The UFC organization is exercising its right to terminate Riddle for breach of his obligations under his Promotional Agreement as well as the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy,” the company said in a release when they terminated Riddle in late February.

Following the UFC 158 pre-fight press conference, White added that Riddle was released because because he’s a “moron,” citing an interview the fighter did where he said he smokes marijuana to avoid beating his children.

“Matt Riddle is a moron,” White said. “That’s why he got cut.”

Diaz was unavailable for comment regarding a potential cut with a positive test at the time of this publication.

UFC 158 will take place this Saturday, March 16, at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

The post Nick Diaz ‘probably’ cut if tested positive for marijuana metabolites, says UFC boss first appeared on Graciemag.]]>

Black belt Caio Terra

Caio Terra is always exciting, on and off the mats. The roosterweight displays the same sharpness both going for sweeps, locks and chokes or giving interviews. In an exclusive chat with GRACIEMAG.com , the fighter sits down to talk about his plans for 2013, preparation for the Pan, the new IBJJF drug policy and his successful association of academies, the Institute of Martial Arts, with its headquarters in San Jose, Ca.

Speaking of the 2013 Pan, you are the 2011 and 2012 Pan champion, how are your preparations coming along to defend your title?

I am not too focused on winning or losing, I just want to train and do the best I can. If that means I win again then great and if that means I lose in the first round it’s ok too as long as I do the best I can. Right now it’s a little hard to train as I am doing a lot of seminars, focusing on my association and our students. Hard training will begin soon and I am very excited for our 2013 Pan Camp. Every year this camp gets us ready to compete and it really is phenomenal training. We have champs like Leandro Lo, Samir Chantre, Osvaldo Queixinho and others pushing each other to be the best we can be. Where else in the US can you train with two, three or sometimes four world champs in the room? The camp is open to everyone and it doesn’t matter your affiliation, belt level, etc.  Anyone out there who wants to improve in Jiu-Jitsu, I highly suggest you attend! Typically there is one black belt for every three students!

The IBJJF recently announced they will be doing random test at the 2013 Pan. Did you get happy with the news?

When I first heard the news I was extremely excited. Although they are only testing ten random black belts (less than 1/8 of all the people who podium), it is a step in the right direction. A lot of people have been critical of the IBJJF in the past and with the Pro League (paying black belts to compete) and now drug testing, I think they are starting to listen.

How big is the issue of PED in our sport?

If one person uses, that is one person too many and when there are numerous champs using then there is an epidemic. As a champion and someone who loves Jiu-Jitsu,when I won in 2011 I did my best to make the public aware that people were/are using PEDs and this isn’t right. As martial artist, honor and integrity are values we all shoul dhave; and when you cheat and compete you are dishonoring yourself, your opponent, your school and your association.  My mentors Comprido and Felipe Costa have always been against it and live by these values and are grateful they have instilled them in me.

You mentioned your association, how is that going?

The association is doing very well. Our newest affiliate just opened up in England and that’s exciting. It is smarter; I feel to water and tend a tree so it has strong roots than to planting a lot of new seeds hoping that one of the trees grows strong. With this philosophy in 2013, we are limiting the number of affiliates so we can really focus on building our foundation and to ensure all of our schools do well. To be clear, by well I don’t mean just doing well in competitions, I want to see people grow, their businesses do well and every member in our association getting the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu and because of this I am spending a lot of time with each affiliate. In Oregon for example, I have two affiliates, one in Hillsboro and one at Portland Judo, and a third one opening up in Vancouver, WA. In the past four months I have been there twice, once for a week to teach and train with the. I want to know every student who wears our patch!

What other things do you have planned for 2013

I am really focusing on my school, the Institute of Martial Arts, in San Jose, CA, our students and association. Personally, I plan to compete in all the major events and I am really looking forward to our Pan camp and the phenomenal Mundial Camp we are currently planning. Both should be fun. I’m also looking forward to the Brasa camp this summer with Comprido and Felipe Costa. Win or lose, 2013 will be a great year!

Want to leave a message for the Jiu-Jitsu community around the world?

Keep training, have fun, and focus on technique.  Stay clear of PEDs, because they won’t make your Jiu-Jitsu better, in the long run, as we get older we lose strength and flexibility, but you can never lose technique. Jiu- Jitsu has so much to teach us, on and more importantly off the mat. There are no short cuts, so enjoy the journey.

Caio Terra will be at the 2013 Pan. What about you? Register now at ibjjf.org

Photo by David Dermer/Diamond Images/Getty Images

After we reported here on GRACIEMAG.com that Rousimar Palhares had been flagged for elevated testosterone after his fight at UFC on FX 6, the athlete addressed the issue publicly by way of a press release.

“I’ve always been very careful about my diet and concerned about not ever using anything that could harm my body or my performance in the octagon. And this time was no different,” he said. “I never meant to cheat. I’ve had nearly 30 fights in my career, a good portion of them in the UFC. I’ve been through numerous surprise tests, and nothing’s ever gone wrong. Furthermore, I knew I was going to be subjected to testing after fighting in Australia because that’s the standard in the UFC. I have a clear conscience but accept the punishment. The rules exist for everyone to follow.”

Another to weigh in on the case was the fighter’s master, Murilo Bustamante. The head of Brazilian Top Team feels his student never meant to break the UFC’s rules but did make sure to admonish his disciple.

“Rousimar is one of the most disciplined guys when it comes to diet, physical conditioning and anything involving his profession there is,” Bustamante said. “But if he got flagged for something, it’s because he got sloppy at some point. So this case has to serve as an example to all other fighters. Everyone has to be double careful about what they put in their bodies. The testing is becoming more and more rigorous, and that’s why everyone has to be more and more careful about the food they eat and supplements they take.”

Toquinho will have to go nine months without fighting. The suspension imposed by the UFC is retroactive dating from Dec. 14, and the fighter will only be allowed to fight again once further testing comes back clean after his suspension is up.

Joey Beltran also had a positive test following UFC on FX 6. The Team Alliance fighter’s results showed traces of nandrolone, and he, like Palhares, will serve a nine-month suspension retroactive to Dec. 14.

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Following a suspension for elevated levels of testosterone, Alistair Overeem (pictured) was granted a license to fight on Tuesday, paving the way for his UFC 156 fight with “Bigfoot” Silva. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

After a nine-month suspension, UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem appeared in front of the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Tuesday and was granted a license to fight.

The five-person panel voted unanimously to grant the hulking heavyweight a license, which allows for Overeem to face Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva in their scheduled bout in Las Vegas at UFC 156 on Feb. 2.

“I’m ready to get my life back on track,” Overeem said during the hearing.

During Overeem’s suspension, the fighter provided the NSAC with five drug tests, all of which he administered himself, according to NSAC executive director Keith Kizer. The results of those tests came back negative. Additionally, the governing body subjected the fighter to two tests of their own. Both those tests came back negative, as well.

Overeem was originally suspended in April following a surprise drug test in March that showed elevated levels of testosterone. The commission allows for athletes to have a testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio of 6:1, but Overeem’s test showed the fighter had a ratio of 14:1.

In the weeks that followed being suspended, Overeem appeared before the commission and explained that his positive test stemmed from an anti-inflammatory injection administered by a doctor named Hector Molina. The treatment, Overeem said, produced the elevated testosterone levels without his knowledge. The commission, however, denied the fighter licensure at the time and informed him he could not reapply for nine months.

With the license now secure, the Overeem-Silva fight has a green light, and the winner will likely be next in line for a shot at newly-crowned heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.

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