Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva (photo via Strikeforce)

By FCF Staff

Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva has been sidelined in recent months due to a shoulder injury, and looks as though the UFC heavyweight is set to undergo more surgery.

The 34 year-old Silva recently revealed to “The MMA Hour” that he needs surgery to remove a tumour that is on his pituitary gland. It’s a procedure that the fighter has undergone before.

Silva reportedly stated (quote via MMA Fighting.com):

“I will have to do the surgery again after my next fight, and then I will be cleared to train again in four or six weeks. I will have to do the surgery again since I can’t take testosterone (replacement therapy).”

The American Top Team fighter is currently serving a nine month suspension, after he tested for elevated levels of testosterone, following his draw with Mark Hunt in September.

Silva, who has applied for a now banned, TRT exemption in the past, is hoping to fight again in September.