Sherks future to be decided today

Originally Posted by MMA Junkie

The California State Athletic Commission today announced that it won’t make a decision on Sean Sherk’s appeal until Nov. 13.

According to a source close to the CSAC, the commission requested additional time to go over information recently submitted by Sherk’s attorney, Howard Jacobs, that hadn’t been studied by all commission members.

The CSAC will have a further update available later this afternoon at the conclusion of today’s hearing. The commission still needs to hear appeals from Phil Baroni (anabolic steroids) and Kazuhiro Nakamura (marijuana) during today’s session.

Sherk, who won the vacant title in October 2006, defeated Hermes Franca via unanimous decision at UFC 73, which took place July 7 at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif. However, after the championship bout, both fighters tested positive for anabolic steroids and were promptly fined $2,500 and suspended one year by the CSAC.

Sherk tested positive for elevated testosterone levels and Nandrolone, an anabolic steroid.

His original hearing was supposed to be heard in August, but after securing Jacobs’ services, Sherk was granted an extension until today.

Other than saying that Sherk will be stripped of the title if his suspension is upheld, UFC President Dana White has been fairly tight-lipped about his plans for the lightweight title. White recently stated that B.J. Penn will fight for the title regardless of the outcome, and it’s believed that Joe Stevenson will be his opponent if Sherk’s suspension sticks.

Whether it’s Sherk or Stevenson, the title fight was expected to take place at UFC 79. However, with today’s delay, an early 2008 date appears more likely.