Antonio Silva to Fight at Sengoku 7 in January

Despite being suspended by the California State Athletic Commission, “Big Foot” Antonio Silva (11-1) will fight at Sengoku 7 in Saitama 4 January versus “Kiss” Yoshihiro Nakao (8-1), World Victory Road announced Friday.

Silva was issued a one-year suspension for testing positive for the anabolic steroid Boldenone after his TKO win over Justin Eilers (19-7-1) 26 July at EliteXC.

By competing in Japan, Silva is apparently ignoring both the suspension and a warning from the CSAC against fighting overseas.

Silva’s management argued that other fighters had done it without penalty.

Silva’s opponent, Nakao, last fought at Sengoku Second Battle in May, knocking out “Big” Jim York (9-2) in round two.

Nakao is infamous for winning a fight versus “Texas Crazy Horse” Heath Herring (28-14) before it even began.  Herring was disqualified for dropping Nakao with a punch when Nakao kissed him during the staredown.