Breaking News: Sean Sherk Tests Postive For Steriods

Twist of lEMOn · 07-20-2007, 04:11 PM

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UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk (Pictures) has tested positive for Nandrolone Metabolite following his title defense July 7 in Sacramento, Calif, the state's athletic commission revealed Thursday. Sherk scored a dominating five-round decision win over Brazilian Hermes Franca (Pictures), whom the CSAC also said tested positive for the banned substance Drostanolone.

After testing both "A" and "B" samples of the urine specimen provided by Sherk the day before the fight, the UFC champion's Nandrolone level was certified by the Director of Science and Technology at the lab conducting the tests at 12 ng/ml, two times higher than the threshold allowed by the CSAC, said the state regulatory body.

The Minnesotan lightweight has been fined $2,500 and suspended 365 days from the date of the fight, including an additional 10 days that would need be served if Sherk reapplied for a license to fight in the Golden State.

Calls to Sherk and his trainer Greg Nelson were not immediately returned.

Franca was also fined $2,500 -- the maximum fine the CSAC can levy -- and suspended through July 5, 2008. The Brazilian told MMAweekly.com that he had used a "banned substance" prior to the fight.

"I offer only an explanation and not an excuse," Franca said. "I made a decision during a difficult time in my training for the fight that I regret."

Saying an injured ankle prompted him to look for ways to "accelerate the healing process" Franca said he made the "shortsighted" choice to use a banned substance. "Under the pressure of literally not being able to pay next months bills I made a choice," he told MMAweekly. "I had to fight and did whatever I could to do so."

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva (Anderson Silva' class='LinkSilver'>Pictures) and Nathan Marquardt (Pictures), participants in July 7's other title fight in Sacramento, Calif., were both cleared for any banned substances.

This news comes on the heels of a CSAC report that revealed 28 violations, including nine for steroids, of its anti-doping policy from March 31, 2007 through July 6, 2007. Seventeen of the 28 violators were fighters in mixed martial arts contests.

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Sherk and Franca Test Positive, Both Facing Suspension and FineLAS VEGAS,

July 19 - Today, the California State Athletic Commission released information stating that UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk tested positive for the banned substance Nandrolone Metabolite and that lightweight contender Hermes Franca tested positive for Drostanolone, also a banned substance, in drug tests following their five-round fight on July 7th at UFC 73 in Sacramento, California.

Both of these substances are anabolic agents, and both fighters face a possible fine and suspension by the CSAC.

"Our policy on fighters using steroids, illegal drugs or any banned substance remains the same - you cannot use them,” said UFC President Dana White. “It's not only unhealthy and unsafe, it is against the law. The UFC fully supports the commission's efforts and we will continue to take measures that keep this sport clean and keep the athletes safe."

Fuck you UFC All Access, Thats how you lose even if you win, damn that show to hatis!

Also <_<

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Originally Posted by Sean Sherk To Appeal Steriod Allgeations

UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk will appeal his fine and suspension for testing positive for a banned substance (steroids) following his five-round unanimous decision win over Hermes Franca at UFC 73: “Stacked,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

His hearing before the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) is slated for August 6. After the hearing concludes and a final ruling is issued, UFC President Dana White will decide whether or not to strip Sherk of his 155-pound title.

If the finding holds up, it is more than likely that the UFC will be left with no other choice other than to take the belt away from Sherk — he has been suspended for one year by the commission.

Back in 2002, then-UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett tested positive for steroids after he defeated Randy Couture to become the youngest champion ever in the division. He was later fined, suspended and stripped of his title.

Put simply, history is not on the side of Sherk on this one.

There are several readers here and elsewhere clamoring for a lightweight tournament to crown a new champion if Sherk is stripped. It’s a fantastic idea. However, it’s important to point out that White has said in the past the he “hates” them.

In fact, after then lightweight champion Jens Pulver bolted the organization in 2003, the UFC coordinated a tournament that included the top 155 pound fighters at the time (B.J. Penn, Din Thomas, Matt Serra, and Caol Uno) to declare a new champion.

In the finals, Penn and Uno fought to draw. Afterwards, the division was scuttled and didn’t return until last year.

Will we see it again? It would certainly help invigorate a division that has taken a serious hit. And, the lightweight division is absolutely loaded, making for some incredible action.

For now, we’ll have to wait and see what happens on August 6. But, in the meantime, it’s fun to dream about how to make lemonade out of the steroid lemon.

Note: Franca, who also tested positive for steroids, will not appeal his year-long suspension or $2,500 fine.

Dmac · 07-20-2007, 04:27 PM

But getting to be next to Rachelle Leah is too good to pass up T.T

WackoJako · 07-20-2007, 04:29 PM

..WOW just when it looked like Sherk was gonna own that division for years this happened. A tourney would be good IMO, though with Franca and Sherk both gone it'd probably come down to Penn vs Stevenson, maybe Huerta.