Wand (photo) is in the sights of the Nevada Attorney General's Office. Photo: YouTube/Reproduction
The Nevada Attorney General's Office filed a formal complaint against the Brazilian Wanderlei Silva with the state athletic commission, asking that the fighter be punished for failing an anti-doping test in May and subsequent recognition of the use of illegal substances during his preparation for UFC 175. The request aims to reimburse amounts spent on Wand's case, such as investigation expenses and lawyers' fees, in addition to other punishments that the regulatory body deems necessary.
The information was released by the website “MMA Junkie”, which reported that Wanderlei has 20 days to respond and that the Brazilian's case will be judged in a hearing with no official date yet set. “An unarmed combatant must submit to a urinalysis or chemical test if the commission or a representative of the commission directs him to do so,” says an excerpt of the complaint reproduced by the North American outlet. The prosecutor's office also states that the athlete is subject to sanctions for avoiding the anti-doping test, even though his request for a license to fight in Nevada has not yet taken effect because he promoted the duel against Chael Sonnen and “knew he was a competitor at UFC 175.”
The Nevada Attorney General's request is based on testimony from Wanderlei Silva in a meeting with the Nevada Athletic Commission on June 17, in which the Brazilian explained himself after avoiding a surprise drug test three weeks earlier. At the time, Wanderlei presented a letter, which was read by his lawyer, in which he admitted that the escape was motivated by the recent use of diuretics – a substance prohibited by the commission. According to Wand, the reason why he used the medications was to reduce fluid retention caused by anti-inflammatories, which had been prescribed to him after the wrist injury suffered in the fight with Chael Sonnen on TUF Brasil 3. Even though he was removed from the UFC 175 card, the “Crazy Dog” did not receive any punishment from the Athletic Commission, under the allegation that the meeting was only to collect information.
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