Around The UFC: Silva Suspended, Coker Would Like Fight Night Bonuses, Penn Also Out Of 132

Added on Apr 08, 2011 by John Petit in

UFC & MMA

Thiago Silva Suspended

Thiago Silva went before the Nevada State Athletic Commission today because of a failed drug test after his UFC 125 bout with Brandon Vera. The commission decided that he would be suspended for 1 year, and fined a total of $33,750 for submitting a urine sample that came up as “not human.” Silva originally made a total of $110,000 for the fight, including his win bonus. The total penalty of $33,750 represents just over 30 percent of his pay.

Silva told the commission that he re-injured his back in training, and he took a prescription steroid during the camp to help with the recovery. When it came time for the drug screening he decided to mask his usage by purchasing a fake urine sample online that is purported to beat drug screens.

The NSAC also overturned Silva’s victory into a No Contest.

Coker Plans To Ask Zuffa For Fight Night Bonuses

Scott Coker says he plans to ask Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta if Zuffa plans on handing out “Fight of The Night Bonuses.” When Zuffa purchased the WEC, one of the changes Zuffa made was to give the fighters the bonuses. They weren’t as much as the UFC bonuses, but there isn’t a fighter alive who would appreciate the extra check or more incentive to perform.

“I’m definitely going to talk to Lorenzo (Fertitta) about it, but that would be great, wouldn’t it?” Coker concluded by saying that this was something they always wanted to do, but the funds weren’t there. He said “It’s something that Strikeforce would have done, but it might have been another year or two.”

BJ Penn Out Of UFC 132

A few weeks ago, many MMA fans were disappointed to here that Jon Fitch was forced out of the rematch with BJ Penn. Almost immediately fighters began throwing there hats into octagon and saying they would take the fight. However, BJ Penn has now announced that he is forced to withdraw from the fight as well. Nothing has been announced for a replacement for the fight. There is also no word on whether or not the UFC plans to reschedule the rematch.