Mixed martial arts heavyweight champion Antonio Silva pleads innocence to steroid use allegations. The allegations stemmed from the California State Athletic Commission’s release of Silva’s doping results on Thursday.

According to the CSAC, the fighter’s urinalysis showed traces of the anabolic steroid boldenone. The test was conducted during the Brazilian’s bout against Justine Eilers at the EliteXC card on July 26. As a result, Silva was immediately suspended for one year and fined $2,500.

Alex Davis, Silva’s manager, is planning to contest the disciplinary action and to request a hearing before NSAC.

“It’s a false positive. He got tested positive for something he didn’t take,” said Davis from his home outside Rio de Janeiro. “I will not let my fighter sit back and be wronged like this. I just won’t.”

In a statement, Silva also denied he committed any wrongdoing. “I did not use the steroid Boldenone, or any other steroid of prohibited substance. I don’t agree and never have agreed with the use of this kind of product in order to win, for this is cheating. I will go to the full extent of my power and the law to prove my innocence in this matter.”

Boldenone is an anabolic steroid approved for veterinary use only. Equipoise is one of the popular brand names of boldenone which is used mainly to treat conditions of horses, such as injury and diseases. This steroid also reportedly improves the well-being of horses as it increases protein synthesis.

According to Sherdog.com, Silva has been denied licensure in the state of California in June 2007 because “an abnormal brain scan of the athlete showed signs of a tumor.” Silva reportedly suffers from the condition known as acromegaly, which causes enlargement of the extremities and face due to an overactive pituitary gland. The 6-foot-4 Brazilian underwent medical treatment two months later to surgically remove the tumor and fought three times since.

From Sherdog.com:

Silva was notified of the positive test result Wednesday via a phone call from the CSAC, though Davis said rumors of his fighter’s results had been circulating during a prolonged testing period, which included independent tests of two separate samples conducted by Quest Diagnostics and the World Anti-Doping Agency-approved Laboratoire De Controle Du Dopage in Montreal.

Davis said Silva has taken legal nutritional supplements during his training, but that the use of steroids in light of his fighter’s medical condition could prove fatal.

“He can’t take stuff like that because he has acromegaly,” said Davis. “All of his hormone levels are a problem regularly, so he wouldn’t be able to for risk of his life.”

Davis…which has groomed Silva as a professional fighter since his arrival in the U.S. nearly two years ago, have already set the wheels in motion to hire a toxicologist and legal representation to shepherd Silva’s appeal.

Silva was the first-ever heavyweight champion crowned by the fledgling promotion following his second-round pummeling of Eilers on July 26. Silva’s impressive showing capped off four wins for the heavy-handed competitor in EliteXC’s cage, and Davis said the organization will not be quick to jump to conclusions.

“They’re being very fair. What they’re saying is they won’t strip him of his title until he’s proved guilty,” said Davis.

Jeremy Lappen, EliteXC’s Head of Operations, refrained from comment, but said a public statement from the promotion would be forthcoming.

Tags: acromegaly, anabolic steroids, Antonio Silva, boldenone, California State Athletic Commission, EliteXC, equipoise, MMA, urinalysis result

Posted in steroid nation, Steroids and Anabolic Steroids, Steroids in MMA, Steroids in Olympics, Steroids in Sports, Steroids in UFC