Anderson Silva posted a cryptic message on his Instagram account, which fueled speculation that the former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champion is saying goodbye to UFC.


Silva, who is considered by many as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, recently tested positive for banned substances Drostanolone and Androstane before and after his comeback fight against Nick Diaz in January.

Silva is facing suspension and the length will be determined after his hearing with the Nevada State Athletic Commission on April 21. While his status remains hanging in the balance, the Brazilian star posted a cryptic message on his Instagram account.

"Greatness comes not when things are going well for you," Silva wrote. "But greatness comes when you're really tested. When you suffer a few moves, some disappointments, when sadness arrives. Because only if you have been in deep valleys you may someday know how magnificent it is to be on the top of the mountain."

Silva also thanked his supporters and sounded like he was saying goodbye, but quickly added that he is still looking forward to making his return to the Octagon.

The 39-year-old MMA superstar made a triumphant return from a long layoff in January after scoring a unanimous decision win against Diaz. The victory came after sitting out the entire 2014 after sustaining a gruesome leg injury during his rematch with Chris Weidman in December 2013, but the victory was tainted by the failed drug test.

Silva has denied all doping accusations against him and argued that the medications he took before his UFC 183 showdown with Diaz might have something to do with the failed drug tests.

Rogerio Camoes, Silva's physical trainer, remained firm on their stance that 'The Spider' did not take any illegal substance intentionally because Silva does not need to take performance-enhancing drugs to gain advantage. Camoes reiterated that his conscience is clean and he is also convinced Silva did not do anything wrong.

"Most people already know Anderson would never take anything to fight, simply because he doesn't need to," Camoes told Portal do Vale Tudo. "A guy who trains like he does, with his conditioning and who has always been clean doesn't need to do anything to go up there and do what he loves."

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