Anderson Silva Says He’s Out Of UFC 212

During a live Instagram stream on Sunday (via UOL, Anderson Silva revealed that he will no longer be part of UFC 212.

He said: “I really wanted to fight in Brazil, my country, but it’s not going to happen. I want to apologize for this. I really wanted to fight here, but it didn’t happen. I think I was hurt in this, but that’s it.”

The event is scheduled for July 3 in Rio de Janeiro. Silva was set for a fight with Kelvin Gastelum, but Gastelum was pulled due to a failed drug test. The video, which is no longer available, featured Silva saying he was “disassembling” his camp for the event. The UFC has yet to make an official announcement.

Gastelum was given a three month suspension after testing positive for marijuana metabolites in an in-competition sample before his UFC Fight Night 106 bout with Vitor Belfort in March. The suspension was given by the Brazilian Superior Justice Court of MMA. He was fined 20% of his fight purse and the TKO win was ruled a no contest. The suspension would be up in time for Gastelum to fight Silva at UFC on FOX 25 on July 22, if both parties agree to it.