UFC
Dr. Marcio Tannure refutes "Bigfoot" Silva's claims regarding failed drug test at UFC Fight Night 33
Dec 20, 2013 - 11:30:37 PM Dr. Marcio Tannure refutes "Bigfoot" Silva's claims regarding failed drug test at UFC Fight Night 33

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva has placed the blame for his failed drug test at UFC Fight Night 33 on Dr. Marcio Tannure, a liaison doctor for the UFC brought in to help communication between Brazilian fighters, their physicians, and the UFC.

According to Silva's claims, it was Tannure's suggestion to up the frequency of his testosterone use while approved for testosterone replacement therapy that caused the failed test. Silva went so far as to say he planned on suing Tannure because of the failed test.

However, Tannure has now made a statement on the matter, refuting some of Silva's claims and downplaying his involvement in the fighter's situation. In comments made to MMAJunkie.com, Tannure said he has never been Silva's physician, and had a limited involvement in the lead up to UFC Fight Night 33.

"To be clear, I am not, nor have I ever been, Antonio Silva's medical doctor," Tannure clarified. "Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva has made some inaccurate statements in the media recently concerning the circumstances leading up to his positive test for an elevated testosterone ratio. I am releasing this statement to clarify the facts related to my limited involvement leading up to his fight with Mark Hunt."

"Approximately seven to 10 days prior to the bout, Antonio's primary care physician and I discussed the fact that, in spite of the TRT, his levels continued to be below the therapeutic level," he continued. "His doctor recommended that Antonio increase the frequency of his dosage of testosterone based on his prior levels, and I was asked to communicate that recommendation to Antonio – which I did via email. I also invited Antonio to contact me if he had any questions."

"Antonio's primary physician and I agreed that his last injection of testosterone was to be taken on Nov. 30, 2013 – one week prior to his fight. I communicated this to Antonio, as well. That was the extent of my involvement in this matter."

Penick's Analysis: If this is an accurate representation of what happened, Silva's just looking for someone to blame. If he was supposed to take one last injection a week before the fight and then did something else during the week, that's on him. And given how low his levels supposedly were, an injection a week before the fight shouldn't have given a higher reading the day of the fight. That suggests Silva took more than was recommended, and if that's the case then he's got no one to blame than himself. Regardless, Tannure's timeline of events doesn't mesh with what Silva tried to claim this week.