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WHITE BACKPEDALING ON SHERK?
Having gone on record saying he would not strip lightweight champion Sean Sherk of his title, even if the California State Athletic Commission upholds his positive test for suspected steroid use, UFC president Dana White seems to be in a subtle backpedal.
The UFC announced last week that B.J. Penn would square off with Joe Stevenson for the interim lightweight crown at UFC 80 “Rapid Fire” on Saturday, Jan. 19 in Newcastle, England. White said today he would support the CSAC’s final ruling. Sherk’s appeal hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 4 in Los Angeles.
“The belt can’t be in limbo for this long,” White told UFC.com. “I’ve said since the beginning that I believe in Sean Sherk, but we have to support the athletic commission in whatever decision they make. As soon as Sean Sherk can put all of this behind him, he can get right back into the Octagon, and he will be given an immediate shot at the lightweight championship.”
White’s comments appear to indicate Sherk will no longer be considered the champion following the Penn-Stevenson fight in January.
Sherk (33-3) tested positive for the anabolic steroid Nandrolone Metabolite following his unanimous decision victory over Hermes Franca at UFC 73 in July. The CSAC fined the 34-year-old Minnesotan $2,500 and suspended him for one year. His appeal hearing has been delayed three times.
White’s previous statements – that he would allow Sherk to remain the recognized champion – appeared to break with precedent regarding UFC titleholders who fail steroids tests. Sherk was the third UFC champion to fail a steroids test during a title reign, as he joined former heavyweight champions Josh Barnett and Tim Sylvia. The UFC stripped Barnett of his crown following his positive test; Sylvia surrendered his belt after he was flagged.
