EliteXC had given Antonio "Big Foot" Silva its first-ever heavyweight title after defeating Justin Eilers on July 26. The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) administered a drug test for all fighters participating on the EliteXC "Unfinished Business" fight card and Silva tested positive for the steroid Boldenone.
The performance-enhancing drug Boldenone is used primarily on animals, mostly in the use of horses. Although the drug is not normally taken by humans, athletes in many sports such as in boxing and football have been known to take it. Why? Boldenone increases apetite while helping the athlete increase strength and size at the same time.
Silva isn’t the only one who has been tested positive for Boldenone in mixed martial arts. Popular fighters that had the drug within their system include UFC light heavyweight fighter Stephan Bonnar, Affliction heavyweight Josh Barnett and EliteXC middleweight contender Phil Baroni.
The CSAC have agreed to suspend Big Foot for 12 months and has also been fined $2,500 USD as a penatly for his illegal use of steroids. He now has the right to appeal with the commission, but if denied he will most likely be stripped from his EliteXC title. The rest of the fighters that competed in the EliteXC "Unfinished Business" event tested negative.
