The UFC is counting on Anderson Silva being back next year.

Silva was suspended Thursday by the Nevada Athletic Commission for failing multiple drug tests in relation to his UFC 183 main event fight with Nick Diaz on Jan. 31. The NAC also fined Silva his entire $200,000 win bonus and 30 percent of his $800,000 fight purse. The bout with Diaz, which Silva won by unanimous decision, has been overturned into a no contest.

The UFC released a statement on the matter Thursday night, saying the promotion stood by the NAC and "looks forward" to the 40-year-old's return next year. Silva's suspension is retroactive to the Jan. 31 fight.

Results showed that Silva had drostanolone metabolites in his system in a pre-fight, out-of-competition test and the same substance in his fight-night test. Silva's defense team argued Thursday that he did not knowingly take steroids and the drostanolone was in his system due to his use of a sexual performance drug from Thailand.

Silva also admitted to using benzodiazepines, which were found in his system on fight night, due to anxiety and back pain after weigh-ins.

The UFC's statement is in full below: