Anderson Silva’s failed drug test affected more people than anyone could have anticipated. As bad as the situation already was, his friend and mentor Antônio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira told Combate things got even more difficult when the former UFC middleweight champion had to abandon The Ultimate Figher: Brazil house because of it.
Silva recently tested positive for drostanolone and androstane in his pre and post UFC 183 drug tests. Because of the test failure, the Nevada Athletic Commission placed him under temporary suspension. The NAC also requested that Silva be removed from his position as one of the coaches for TUF Brazil season 4, as it violated the terms of his suspension.
Here's what Nogueira had to say about replacing Silva:
"It’s hard for us to go and meet all the hype and expectation that was created because of the biggest name in the sport. It was like fueling a plane while it was on air. Anderson was the one who picked all the fighters, they already had a strategy, a team and everything, we kept it all intact but it was hard. Everybody felt it, the fighters were devastated for the first couple of weeks. We worked twice as hard to motivate them again", said Big Nog.
Even though Nogueira found himself having quite the act to follow on such short notice, he still guaranteed it was a great experience nonetheless.
"It’s always very stimulating to work with these guys and help them achieve their dream of becoming an UFC fighter. This is my third time on TUF and it’s the best one I’ve been a part of, by a long shot".
The new season of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil is scheduled to begin on April 5 and will feature Anderson Silva for the first episodes before he was replaced by Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira against Mauricío Shogun’s team.