On January 7, 2009, the first and only man to hold the Elite XC heavyweight title, Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (12-1), filed a civil action against the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) in Los Angeles, California according to Sherdog.com.
Silva is seeking a ruling from the court in hopes that he can override the CSAC’s decision to suspend the fighter for his alleged steroid use and possibly allow Silva yet another hearing to once again try and prove his innocence.
Bigfoot was suspended by the CSAC for a full year in July following his championship winning performance at Elite XC: “Unfinished Business” because he tested positive for the banned steroid Boldenone - an anabolic steroid developed for veterinary use.
The Brazilian giant defied that ruling by taking a fight with Sengoku earlier this month due to financial difficulties. Rulings from athletic commissions in the United States aren’t recognized in Japan, and according to Silva’s manager Alex Davis his fighter couldn’t afford to sit out for a year.
Here’s a snip:
“We would have much rather not fought in Japan, but Antonio has medical expenses that he just can’t go without shouldering because of his health. He has to spend a lot of money on medicine every month.”
Bigfoot has maintained his innocence throughout this entire ordeal. In fact, he’s the first fighter to take legal action against a ruling from the CSAC.
From Silva:
“I could have waited for the suspension to expire but I’m not guilty. I am sure I will be the first professional mixed martial artist to prove my innocence in a doping accusation.”
Silva’s license to fight in the United States could potentially be revoked at a hearing on February 10 because he violated one of the state’s Business and Professions codes when he smashed Yoshihiro Nakao at Sengoku ‘No Ran 2009′ on January 4.
The law prohibits a boxer or martial arts fighter under suspension by the commission (or any other recognized commission) to participate in a contest with the punishment being total revocation of his or her license.
In addition, team members and trainers who worked his corner in Japan will be dealt with as accomplices and could be punished as well.
Silva’s attorney is currently working to postpone the February 10 hearing pending the outcome of the recent civil action.
And the saga continues.
8 Comments »
I hope he sues the crap out of the csac and wins BIG! I dont believe for a split second that this Mega Human took any kind of steroids whatsoever. Had he tested positive in a credible state like Vegas, then this couldnt be ignored. However I think the CSAC is Trash. I dont believe a word they say, nor do I think that they even know what they are doing.
I hope BigFoot gets some big fights in Japan against opponents like:
Tim Sylvia
Aleks
Semmy Shilt
Fedor
Overeem
Werdum (possibly)
Barnett
There are rumours thats his next fight is going to be against Aleks.
Yea, he doesn’t have to worry too much. I also hope he wins big time against those crooked fucks. I am with you 100% john. It’s just unbelievable that even after all the corruption and bs that got exposed that they are unwilling to admit they might have screwed up.
Yawn…. this guys story as to why he popped positive doesn’t even make sense. Stay in Japan.
I hope he gets the decision reversed for his sake as it really is shitty news to not potentially be fighting in the US ever again!
Although there are some good fights outside of the US it would be better for him to continue his career there. I’d love to see him in the UFC too and think he would do very well. Him and Rafael Fiejao would be excellent and would shake things up considerably.
He seems to have a good case compared to some other fighters because of his condition but unless someone outside or above the CSAC to overule the decision I dont see them changing thier minds.
I really want one of those T-shirts bad!!! Mania where do I get a “The Champ is Here, I’m Clean” T-shirt? I would sport that to work or to the mall or grocery shopping just whatever, just gotta get a picture of myself over his picture! I’m laughing just thinkin about it.
“He has to spend a lot of money on medicine every month.”
Hmmmm…..what kind of medicine are we talking about here? lol Seriously, I no fan of the Kommiefornia State Athletic Gestapo! Uh, I mean commision! But, I think him disregarding their ruling by fighting in Japan has only turned his case into an “I’ll show you who’s boss!” campaign! Now, the Communist Bastardos will only take a harder stand against Huge Foots! Since Schwarzenegger is Governor there, I think he should fight Silva one on one to decide! lol
“He has to spend a lot of money on medicine every month.”
This man has a condition called acromegaly…just a few of the common co-morbidities of this condition include diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and arthritis. Do you have any idea of the costs involved for medications to treat these conditions? Not to mention surgeries he has to undergo to remove adenomas (tumors) caused by the overproduction of growth hormone in his body. I sincerely believe he would not have been stupid enough to take any steroid, and hope that he does win this lawsuit.