Kiwi UFC heavyweight Mark Hunt has received an early Christmas bonus.
Details are emerging that his opponent from this month's UFC Fight Night 33 main event bout, Antonio `Bigfoot' Silva, failed his post-fight drugs test due to an elevated level of testosterone.
Website MMAjunkie.com has reported that Silva failed the screening and his $US50,000 (NZD$60,490) 'Fight of the Night' bonus will now be awarded to Hunt.
"Silva is on a medically approved regimen of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), and had been in compliance with therapeutic guidelines on all pre-fight tests performed prior to the event,'' said a statement issued by a UFC representative to MMAjunkie.com.
"The results of his test on the day of the event indicated a level of testosterone outside of allowable limit. Silva has been informed that the elevated testosterone level is a violation of the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy and his Promotional Agreement with Zuffa.''