MMA fighter Wanderlei Silva's disciplinary inquiry was postponed on Thursday when his legal counsel filed a motion to question the Nevada State Athletic Commission's authority in the case.

On May 24, the commission sent a collector to Silva's gym to conduct a random drug test. Silva refused to take the test stating that he does not speak English fluently enough to fully understand the procedure. He then left and flew to Brazil.

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Silva was scheduled to fight Chael Sonnen as the co-main event of the UFC 175 at the Mandalay Bay on July 5. The man already made an appearance at a press conference held at the MGM Grand with Sonnen on May 23.

After his refusal, the 38-year-old was scratched from the card and Nevada filed a case as a disciplinary action. The commission considered the refusal as failed test and is determined to have the former PRIDE middleweight champion suspended.

Silva's contention is that the regulation restricts the commission's oversight only to those who are licensed under it.

"It is abundantly clear that the NSAC lacks jurisdiction to take disciplinary action over Mr. Silva, a non-licensee, for not submitting to testing that the NSAC had no authority to order." The lawyer wrote in his motion.

On the other hand, NSAC's argument is that since Silva is going to fight in Nevada, it is clear that Silva is within its jurisdiction after the formal announcement of the fight has been completed.

Goodman winning this case does not mean that Silva will not encounter doubts from the critics. UFC president Dana White as well as CEO Lorenzo Fertitta has been very vocal about their support for the commission.

During the controversy with Vitor Belfort, White released a statement that UFC will not involve Belfort on any fight until he has a license from Nevada. The UFC will also not book a Belfort fight even if the event will be held somewhere else.

TagsUFC, MMA, wanderlei silva, nevada state athletic commission, random drug testing