Wanderlei Silva's lifetime ban reduced to 3-year suspension

After a number of postponements, Wanderlei Silva finally had his rehearing in front of the Nevada Athletic Commission on Wednesday.

The proceedings resulted in a substantial reduction to his lifetime ban, with the NAC instead suspending him three years retroactive to May 2014 and waiving his fines, according to Shaheen Al-Shatti of MMAfighting.com.

He would reportedly have to pass a drug test as well before his return.

Silva was initially suspended and fined $70,000 after fleeing a random drug test ahead of his scheduled fight with Chael Sonnen at UFC 175.

He was granted another hearing after Nevada District Judge Kerry Earley deemed the discipline to be "arbitrary, capricious, and not supported by substantial evidence."

The 39-year-old will now be eligible to compete in 2017, though it's unclear whether he intends to do so.

Silva announced his retirement in 2014 and was released from his UFC contract after issuing an apology last month.