Anderson Silva: ‘The hurry some people have to condemn me is unfair’

The man largely considered the greatest MMA fighter of all time, Anderson “The Spider” Silva, tested positive for steroids and sent shockwaves through the sports world (or at least the MMA/UFC world). The former long-reigning UFC middleweight champion has denied the allegations and is looking to clear his name.

In a statement posted to Anderson’s Instagram account Friday, the 39-year-old Brazilian fighter addressed the failed drug tests surrounding his UFC 183 bout against Nick Diaz in which he won a unanimous decision. The statement is posted in full below.

“IN RESPECT TO MY FANS

I will not say anything about who I am or what I went through to get here. What matters to me now is the respect from those who have followed my career.

I bled, struggled and fought because I love it and because I always wanted to honor the flag of the country I love so much. I don’t know what to apologize for, because I am still waiting for the results and analysis from the specialists that are working to reveal the truth.

Everything that I took since my injury are being analyzed. I look for the truth as much as all those who were surprised with the results. I always played clean, I was never a cheater.

In eighteen years of my career, I never had a problem with exams. In and out of the Octagon I never slipped in compliance with the principles that always guided me. With much honor and dignity I defended my country where ever I fought.

I never used any substances to better my performance in my fights. I love what I do and I would never risk what I took so long to build.

I think that the hurry some people have to condemn me is unfair. The time it takes to destroy a reputation is infinitely less than that is taken to build it.

I am the one who is most eager to settle this situation.

I want those who have always supported me to know that I am still fighting for all the sad happenings of this situation to be cleared.”

It’s a rare thing to see a positive drug test overturned by the commission. Like unicorn rare. Silva is currently under temporary suspension by the NSAC pending a disciplinary hearing in March. Any chance Silva is able to clear his name or has the former king of MMA just Lance Armstrong’d his entire career?

IN RESPECT TO MY FANS I will not say anything about who I am or what I went through to get here. What matters to me now is the respect from those who have followed my career. I bled, struggled and fought because I love it and because I always wanted to honor the flag of the country I love so much. I don't know what to apologize for, because I am still waiting for the results and analysis from the specialists that are working to reveal the truth. Everything that I took since my injury are being analyzed. I look for the truth as much as all those who were surprised with the results. I always played clean, I was never a cheater. In eighteen years of my career, I never had a problem with exams. In and out of the Octagon I never slipped in compliance with the principles that always guided me. With much honor and dignity I defended my country where ever I fought. I never used any substances to better my performance in my fights. I love what I do and I would never risk what I took so long to build. I think that the hurry some people have to condemn me is unfair. The time it takes to destroy a reputation is infinitely less than that is taken to build it. I am the one who is most eager to settle this situation. I want those who have always supported me to know that I am still fighting for all the sad happenings of this situation to be cleared.

A photo posted by Anderson Silva (@spiderandersonsilva) on Feb 19, 2015 at 10:56pm PST

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