Dennis Siver blames supplement for failed drug test
UFC featherweight Dennis Siver has been silent in the wake of a revelation that he'd failed a drug test at UFC 168 in December. But on Wednesday, he offered up an explanation on how he came to test positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a banned hormone often used to boost testosterone.
In a statement released to German MMA site GroundandPound.de, Siver said that his troubles began when his longtime coach Niko Sulenta was diagnosed with cancer and could not work with him for the fight.
In Sulenta's place, Siver hired a personal trainer and nutritionist who was tasked with handling his weight cut. During the course of working together, hat trainer recommended to Siver a supplement he had not previously used. Siver said he was told that he could safely use the supplement but was later "shocked" when his drug testing sample returned a positive finding.
"I do not want to blame anyone for this result and I take full responsibility for my gullible and careless behavior," he said in the statement. "It was my mistake and it was grossly negligent. But I distance myself from any kind of doping. In my previous sixteen UFC fights, not even the smallest banned substance has been detected. This makes the current events all the more disappointing and shocking for me and my team."
Siver still faces a likely fine and suspension, as well as the overturning of his UFC 168 result from a win over Manny Gamburyan to a no contest. The Nevada Attorney General's office is currently preparing a complaint against him to be heard by the state athletic commission.
Siver, 35, currently stands at No. 7 in the UFC's featherweight rankings.
