Anderson Silva removed as coach on 'The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil'
The UFC has pulled Anderson Silva from coaching the new season of "The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil" after the Brazilian returned a positive result for performance-enhancing drugs in a Jan. 9 test administered prior to UFC 183.
The former middleweight champion tested positive for two steroids and now faces possible fines and suspensions as a result.
UFC officials announced the change on Monday.
Silva was set to coach opposite former light heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in the newest season of the show that will air on Globo in Brazil as well as UFC Fight Pass in the United States and abroad.
"The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil" traditionally has filmed in the South American country, but for the fourth installment the UFC opted to move the show to Las Vegas, where the fighters would train and work under the coaches for a chance to earn a spot on the UFC roster.
Because of the change of venue, the Nevada State Athletic Commission now has to license and approve all participants. The commission requested that the UFC remove Silva pending his upcoming hearing for the positive drug test results.
Silva likely will face a temporary suspension at a meeting Feb. 17 before a full hearing in either March or April.
In Silva's absence, former UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will step in to coach opposite Rua. Nogueira has coached the series on two occasions already, so he's very familiar with the process.
Taping started Feb. 2 and originally UFC president Dana White announced that Silva would remain a coach on the show despite his positive drug test results. Now it appears with the commission stepping in and asking for him to be removed, the UFC has been forced to oblige.
Nogueira will finish the series, which is expected to begin airing sometime this spring.
