Returning Anderson Silva insists: ‘My conscience is clear’

Anderson Silva. AP FILE PHOTO

Returning from his one-year suspension, Anderson Silva still insists that his “conscience is clear” and that he did not use any performance-enhancing drugs.

Silva said that he has never cheated in his entire career and that he only made an “error.”

“Inside the Octagon, there’s no way to really lie,” said Silva in an interview with ESPN. “I’ve been fighting my whole career and never tested positive. My conscience is clear. I’ve never purposefully taken any banned substance. I made an error in taking a substance that was contaminated. I never cheated. In this sport, at the end of the day, whoever is best prepared is going to show on that night.”

READ: Anderson Silva set for UFC return in London

The 40-year-old Silva (33-6) will make his UFC comeback against Michael Bisping (27-7) on February 27 at O2 Arena in London. It will be his first fight since his UFC 183 victory against Nick Diaz in January and since failing multiple drug tests earlier in the year. The fight has since been overturned to a no-contest.

Three weeks before UFC 183, Silva submitted to a random drug test to the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) and tested positive for drostanolone, an anabolic steroid, and a form of androstane. He again tested positive for drostanolone and a banned anti-anxiety medication on fight night. The match, however, still pushed through as NSAC got the results on January 31.

READ: UFC: Anderson Silva expects to be cleared of doping charges

Silva claimed that the drugs rooted from a contaminated sexual performance-enhancing drug he got from Thailand.

Despite the dent in his legendary career, Silva said that he remains motivated as ever.

“I’m very motivated to come back. Over the past two years in my career, I’ve had some bumps in the road and some adversity to overcome. But I’m very motivated, very focused in coming back and bringing this belt back to Brazil.”

READ: Silva admits to ‘therapeutic’ PED usage—report

Before the Diaz bout, the middleweight legend lost his title to Chris Weidman at UFC 162 back in 2013, and suffered a gruesome broken leg in their rematch that kept him out of action for the whole 2014.

“I don’t feel I have to prove anything to anyone,” Silva said. “I don’t feel I have any sort of redemption. I feel I’m coming back because I’m motivated to follow my dream. I’m ready to be tested any time. You guys can test me as much as you like.”