A "Positive" Test Result for Thiago Silva, Means the Rehiring of Brandon Vera

UFC 125 on Januray 1, 2011, was the stage for a dominant performance from powerful Light Heavyweight Thaigo Silva as he took Brandon Vera down and grinded him for most of the fight towards a Unanimous Decision win which resulted in a broken nose and release papers for the once rising star that was Vera. Vera was released after receiving his third consecutive loss. The first of the three came with a Unanimous Decision loss to UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture in a bout that Vera felt he had for sure won, the second came via TKO by devastating elbows from new rising star Jon Jones as he broke bones in three places in Vera's face.

This performance lead to a possible top contention bout between the winner Silva & Quinton "Rampage" Jackson as both racked up wins to put them back in the title picture. These plans changed however after the Nevada State Athletic Commission released a list of test results from the New Years Day event that presented a list of fighters cleared with negative test results looking for Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED), that is all but Silva. Silva has since maintained his innocence insisting that he had not taken any PEDs, though this does not change the fact that a positive test result scares away any offer for a fight with a potential suspension on the horizon. Silva has since been replaced for his bout with Rampage by heavy handed wrestler Matt Hamill.

With a positive test coming with a win, it is protocol for the commission to replace the win for Silva and the loss for Vera with a "No Contest" that will remain on both of their records. After speculation arose with a positive test result, Vera was quick to voice his opinion saying he should be given an automatic second chance in the UFC. Vera is now readmitted into the UFC's 205lb division and will wait to be booked for his first bout  in returning to the Octagon.

While the second chance is justified, will Vera abandon his cocky sometimes overly confident attitude and take a new approach now that he has been on the receiving end of release form the biggest stage for any mixed martial artist to make a name for themselves?