EliteXC heavyweight champion Antonio "Big Foot" Silva (12-1) defied his one-year suspension due to a positive steroid test and fought on this past Sunday's Sengoku card at Japan's Saitama Super Arena.
By violating his California suspension, which came after he defeated the late Justin Eilers via knockout on a July card in Stockton, Calif., Silva (as well as his cornermen) will be subject to a possible license revocation.
Silva stopped former Japanese national champion wrestler Yoshihiro "Kiss" Nakao (7-2) in just 1:42 by blowing him out with mostly low kicks.
Bill Douglas, the interim head of the California State Athletic Commission, stated he was notifying all athletic commissions of both Silva and his cornermen's actions, and setting a Feb. 10 date for a hearing.
A license revocation would mean Silva and his corner men would be banned from fighting in all U.S. commission states until California granted him a new license, which would be no less than one year from the date of it being revoked. Such an action would force whatever form of EliteXC that potentially resurfaces this year to strip Silva of the title.
Silva's manager, Alex Davis, was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission for the remainder of his license, which expires on July 23, and fined $2,500 for negotiating the fight. He has the right to appeal.
Silva was one of two EliteXC heavyweights who fought on the card (see: Sengoku no Ran 2009 results). Top contender Dave "Pee Wee" Herman (13-1) was upset by a second round stoppage against former South Korean wrestling champion Choi Mu Bae (8-3) after being overwhelmed with a flurry of punches.
