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Anderson Silva: I'm not a cheater

Anderson Silva failed two doping tests © Getty Images

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Anderson Silva denies he is a cheater and says he has "never used any substances" to improve his performances, despite failing two doping tests.

In a statement published on his Instagram account on Friday, Silva says he has always "played clean" and that the rush to condemn him has been "unfair".

The former middleweight champion beat Nick Diaz on January 31 at UFC 183 in his return to the cage after breaking his left leg 13 months ago.

However, Silva was suspended this week for failed drug tests and is waiting for results from his 'B' samples.

"I don't know what to apologise for, because I am still waiting for the results and analysis from the specialists that are working to reveal the truth," Silva said.

"Everything that I took since my injury are being analysed. I look for the truth as much as all those who were surprised with the results. I always played clean, I was never a cheater."

The 39-year-old Brazilian said he would "never risk" jeopardising a career that he "took so long to build".

"I think that the hurry some people have to condemn me is unfair," Silva said. "The time it takes to destroy a reputation is infinitely less than that is taken to build it.

"I want those who have always supported me to know that I am still fighting for all the sad happenings of this situation to be cleared."

Silva noted that during his 18-year career, he has never failed any doping tests.

"In and out of the octagon, I never slipped in compliance with the principles that always guided me. With much honour and dignity, I defended my country wherever I fought," Silva said. "I never used any substances to better my performance in my fights."

Diaz and Hector Lombard were the other two high-profile fighters temporarily suspended by the UFC this week, prompting the world's leading MMA promotion to announce the launch of a multimillion-dollar anti-doping plan in which all fighters will be subject to random performance-enhancing drug testing beginning in July.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd