CSAC Upholds Antonio Silva Suspension
by Kid Nate on Oct 22, 2008 3:05 PM EDT
in MMA News
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From Sherdog:
The California State Athletic Commission on Wednesday upheld the one-year suspension of Antonio Silva at an appeals hearing for the EliteXC heavyweight champion.
Here was Silva's peeps talking to MMA Weekly with their explanation a few weeks back:
Silva's American representative, Alex Davis, maintains that Silva's medical condition of acromegaly, or "gigantism" precludes him from taking anabolic steroids. Acromegaly is characterized by a benign tumor in the pituitary gland that produces excess growth hormone. Davis said that Silva's tumor has caused him to produce as much as 20 times the normal amount of growth hormone in the body.
"It would be completely insensible or even dangerous to make use of any other steroids or substances that could worsen that kind of problem," he said.
Following the CSAC's suspension, Davis says he had Silva tested for steroids at the Aegis Sciences Corporation - a facility he says is on the CSAC's approved list of testing facilities - and results were negative.
Davis thinks the red flag arose from Silva's use of Novedex, an over the counter testosterone booster.
"With the commission, you're guilty until proven innocent," he says.
Ironically, Novodex's maker, Gaspari Nutrition USA, warns professional athletes of a possible positive test for steroids.
"We strongly suggest that you discuss use of Novedex with your sanctioning body before using it," the website writes. "With results this powerful, you might be wrongfully accused of 'cheating.'
Fightlinker has had some must read coverage of the Silva situation.
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Ok, i’m going to question this a little. Don’t take it as a defense for Sylvia, though I’m not sure why he would take such a huge health risk in his case. Rather, I’m questioning the CSAC.
Am I the only one who seems to think the CSAC has a disproportionate amount of positive tests? I don’t have figures to back this up, but it sure seems like they get a lot more hits than places like New Jersey or even Nevada. I don’t know if anyone has the statistics for this, but if you do, please share. There has definitely been a cloud of suspicion surrounding the competency of the CSAC and their testing.
If a fighter does cheat and gets caught, they should serve the FULL suspension, not just half of it because they questioned the test. I’m sorry, but the track record of the CSAC makes me think they are somewhat misguided,if not completely shady. Either that or all the other ACs are.
If I’m off base here, please let me know, but this is my initial reaction. it just seems the CSAC hands down a ton of suspensions compared to everyone else.
http://eliotmarshall.com/
Aren’t they also the only state that tests every fighter?
More tests will probably lead to more positives.
I don’t know how they exactly did things in the past, but it seems like for this round of positives, they followed WADA protocols, which are pretty much the gold standard. If two separate labs come up with the same results, without knowing what they are looking for, it’s hard to question the results of the test.
Part of the major problem is these gray area substances that aren’t particularly illegal, but will cause you to test positive.
All the ACs need to get on the same page as to what is and what isn’t allowed when it comes to supplements, and any other substance a fighter would think about taking.
Didn’t know they test them all, thanks.
Very good points about “banned” substances.
http://eliotmarshall.com/
I really wish they would do like the NFL does.
The NFL has a list of supplements that they know aren’t steroids, and they know won’t cause a false positive.
If you take only things on that list you can’t test positive, so if you test positive, tough shit, you lose, you are suspended.
It will take a lot of work to set that up, but maybe they could start with the NFL lists, and even if it’s expensive and time consuming, it will make things easier in the long run, and save everyone a lot of time in the future when whining about false positives/tainted supplements/etc.
I believe Silva did not knowing take Bolderone. That said, I seriously question why would he need to be taking “Novedex, an over the counter testosterone booster” supplement??? Like a guy that big needs a testosterone boost! Some of these guys take supplements for no good reason.
… plus the fact that Novadex specifically has a warning on it telling people it can lead to false positive tests for Bolderone and that they should check with the athletic commission before taking it should have raised a red flag for him.
I don’t know if he risked his own health to take something he shouldn’t have. I don’t know why he would have taken this. Either way it seems to me like he was stupid to take whatever he took. Hard to feel too sorry for somebody who is that clueless, frankly.
Fighters are responsible for what they put in their bodies even if it is accidental. The suspension is for testing positive not intentially using a substance. I don’t get why fighters at this level and with this much money on the line don’t keep better track of this kind of stuff. Double and triple check everything and maybe even have a occasional private drug test done to make sure before you get to the point of suspensions and fines. Whether it was intentional or accidental it was still breaking the rules and it seems silly to blame the athletic commissions for your own cluelessness about what is in your own body.
I guess on the positive side for Silva is that he doesn’t have to worry about being stripped of the belt now. It may have some value on e-bay.
Are you guys really that naive to think most of these guys aren’t on some form of steroid?
I would guess more often than not, most of them have ways to get by screening for the drugs. Some of the physiques these guys carry around, there is no way they are getting that ripped without some form of aid.
There is a way. Its called hard work. I have a problem with you casting a wide net of suspision on everyone. I am sure that some guys are on some stuff, but to say you can’t get ripped without it is not right. In fact, it is an extreme diservice to the guys who do it right and work hard at it. I could be ripped if I wasn’t so lazy, I have a respect for those who can dedicate them selves to training like I can not. I have a distain for those who take short cuts, but unless you have some proof then its wrong to discount someones hard work.
It’s usually obvious who the hard workers are and who the growth hormone guys are. And people that test positive for substance tests like Sherk, etc are DEF guilty of something. Those agencies doing the testing are using tests that prove within 99.9% WHICH substance these guys are using.
If anyone here thinks a guy like Sherk wasn’t on anabolic steroids (My god, look at the guy) they are extremely naive. Most of these guys like Bonds will go to their graves denying the use because of society’s views on athletes that take them. But their denials are complete lies. Look at Pride 5 years ago. If 75% of the guys in Pride weren’t on some form of steroids I would be shocked.
Who said that?
I think we all know that not only these guys, but many big time athletes do them. hell, when i was in high school in the mid 80’s, tons of guys were juicing. It is a misconception that this is a new problem.
And it isn’t only physiques. it is endurance, recovery, healing and so on.
The problem is, the inconsistencies with the ACs and regulations and what is/isn’t banned.
http://eliotmarshall.com/
Bigger, Stronger, Faster
If you haven’t yet, you should watch the documentary “Bigger, Stronger, Faster.” It really changed my outlook on steroids. I’m not saying I’m in favor of allowing them, but the movie really shows how gray it is in terms of what does and does not get classified as a banned substance and “cheating.”
"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy
Those are some seriously stupid arguments Silva’s lawyer is making:
- If Silva wouldn’t do steroids because it isn’t good for him, why does anyone do steroids? Are shrunken balls the new look for fall?
- If Silva couldn’t do steroids because it would be dumb, does he only make wise decisions? Because the rest of us do a lot of dumb shit – maybe we should appoint him some kind of king with his Solomon-like wisdom.
Besides which, what’s he trying to do – hang onto his EliteXC belt?
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
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