CSAC Suspends UFC Lightweight Champion Six Months
By Brian Knapp (
bknapp@thefightnetwork.com)
The California State Athletic Commission voted at a hearing today in Los Angeles to reduce UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk’s suspension for suspected steroid use from one year to six months. Sherk, whose $2,500 fine was upheld by the commission, will be eligible to return to the Octagon next month.
The 34-year-old tested positive for the anabolic agent Nandrolone Metabolite following his unanimous decision victory over Brazilian challenger Hermes Franca at UFC 73 “Stacked” in July. Ironically, Franca, too, tested positive for a banned anabolic agent, though he admitted his guilt and accepted the CSAC penalty.
Since it did not vindicate him, the CSAC decision will likely result in Sherk’s being stripped of the UFC lightweight crown. The promotion set precedent for such a move in year’s past, as it stripped former heavyweight titleholder Josh Barnett following his positive test in Nevada in 2002. Tim Sylvia also relinquished the heavyweight crown in wake of a positive test in 2003.
The UFC has already announced an interim lightweight champion match between BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson at UFC 80 “Rapid Fire” on Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England.
Based out of the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, Sherk (32-2-1) will be in line for a title shot once his suspension ends. The 34-year-old has never lost as a lightweight, suffering his only two defeats to former UFC welterweight champions Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes. He will enter his next bout with 15 wins in his last 16 fights.
The CSAC also voted to uphold the suspension and fine levied against light heavyweight Kazuhiro Nakamura following his positive test for suspected marijuana use.
The 28-year-old PRIDE veteran tested positive following his unanimous decision loss to unbeaten Lyoto Machida at UFC 76 in September. His three-month suspension – which runs through Friday, Dec. 21 – and $500 fine will stand. Rooted in Judo, Nakamura (11-7) has not won a fight in more than a year, though he does hold victories over former middleweight King of Pancrase Yuki Kondo and ex-UFC champions Kevin Randleman and Murilo Bustamante.
Meanwhile, the appeal brought forth by Strikeforce heavyweight Adam Smith was dropped when he failed to appear before the commission. The CSAC upheld Smith’s 21-month suspension and $4,000 fine. He will not be eligible to compete again until sometime in 2009.
Smith (0-2) was flagged for two banned steroids – Nandrolone and Stanozolol – and suspected marijuana and cocaine use following his unanimous decision loss to Dewey Cooper at Strikeforce “Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion” Sept. 29 in Beverly Hills, Calif. Smith made just $500 for the fight.
Source:
http://www.thefightnetwork.com/news_detail.php?nid=5577----
