Sherk tests positive.

[dukedave]

So who's the next lightweight champ. They have to strip him of the title don't they??

[LWPD]

dukedave said:

So who's the next lightweight champ. They have to strip him of the title don't they??

There's precedent where Zuffa stripped Josh Barnett. BJ doesn't really want to fight at 155 but I'm sure he'll do a vacancy filler with someone for the short term good of the division. Joe Stevenson has to be a consideration...although I don't see that selling too well.

UFC needs to implement some form of drug oversight program for their own protection. It's one thing for this to happen in a spectacle like pro wres or during the old 'human cockfighting era' while running on Indian Reservations...but during a time when this 'sport' is seeking to mainstream itself while running in legit venues and getting coverage on ESPN and Sports Illustrated...the amount of positive testings coming to light shortly after events by NSAC and CSAC results is a huge embarrassment and damages the whole marketing strategy.

Dana and Zuffa need to take immediate steps to nip this in the bud now...before another 'legit sounding' negative stereotype enters the arsenal of MMA's public detractors.

[LWPD]

Courtesy of thefightnetwork.com

SHERK, FRANCA TEST POSITIVE

CSAC Flags UFC 73 Champion, Challenger For Anabolic Steroids

By Brian Knapp

Reigning UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk and Hermes Franca, his challenger at July 7's UFC 73 “Stacked,” both tested positive for anabolic steroids, according to a report released Thursday by the California State Athletic Commission. Both men have 30 days to file a written appeal with the CSAC.

Sherk tested positive for the anabolic steroid Nandrolone Metabolite, the same agent for which MMA legend Royce Gracie tested positive in June. He has been fined $2,500 and suspended for one year by the CSAC.

“I'm fairly convinced that there's absolutely been a total mistake here,” said Greg Nelson, Sherk’s trainer. “I have absolutely no recollection of anything of that nature. I know his training and how dedicated he is to eating and doing everything as pure and clean as possible.”

Nelson, who said Sherk takes 22 over-the-counter supplements a day, admitted he had not yet spoken to the UFC lightweight champion about the positive test.

Normal levels of Nandrolone range from two nanograms per milliliter of urine in an average person to six ng/ml in an athlete engaged in rigorous activity. Sherk’s reported level, which was certified by the director of science and technology at the laboratory conducting the tests, was 12 ng/ml. Sherk’s “A” and “B” samples were tested and confirmed as positive, the report said.

Sherk is the third UFC champion to fail a steroids test during a title reign, joining former heavyweight champions Josh Barnett and Tim Sylvia. The CSAC does not have jurisdiction to strip Sherk of his belt. However, Barnett was stripped of his crown by the UFC following his positive test; Sylvia surrendered his belt after he was flagged.

Franca, who challenged Sherk for the UFC lightweight crown at UFC 73, tested positive for the anabolic steroid Drostanolone, according to the report. He has been fined $2,500 and suspended through the end of his current licensing year, which expires July 5, 2008.

Drostanalone is a popular steroid among body builders. The androgenic effect of the drug reportedly helps improve drive for intense training when an athlete has lowered his or her caloric intake. The substance Drostanolone is fast-acting and quickly broken down, which makes it a popular choice among athletes involved in sports that test regularly. Athletes can reportedly use the steroid up to about 10 days before a drug test.

[LWPD]

Courtesy of mmaweekly.com

Hermes Franca Public Apology

This statement was provided to MMAWeekly on behalf of Hermes Franca to address his positive test for the anabolic steroid Drostanolone, as reported by the California State Athletic Commission after Franca's bout with Sean Sherk at UFC 73:

"In the next few days, the results from the California Commission will be released. The tests will show that I had a "banned substance" in my system.

I would like to apologize to my fans, the UFC, my students and family. I offer only an explanation and not an excuse. I made a decision during a difficult time in my training for the fight that I regret.

About 8 weeks out from the fight, I badly injured my ankle during a training session. For the following week I had rested it, rehabbed it and tried to work around the injury. It was obvious that I could not train as required.

I contacted the UFC and explained my injury and how I could not possibly train to the level I thought I would need in order to be properly prepared for my fight. I asked the UFC if we could push the fight out to the following UFC with the chance that it could happen. They explained that they could not do that and that the card had been set and it isnt as easy as just moving around a fight. I totally understood their position. They asked me to keep them informed should I not be able to fight.

I had not fought for 5 months. Fighting is literally how I put food on my wife and childs table and how I pay my bills. As a fighter though, even at this level, I live a simple life and I literally live from fight to fight. Not getting a paycheck for another few months and losing my chance to fight Sean for the title was overpowering. Fighting is the life I chose and I love it.

As a lightweight fighter, our purses are comparatively
small. The public sees the payouts. As lightweights, we do not pull down the money anything near the bigger guys. Its just the way it is. I think Sean fought and defended his title for less than $30,000. Its no ones fault, its just the market. I love the sport, I love the people in the
sport.

At this point I was desperate and needed anything I could to get my injury as close to healing as possible and be able to recover from the daily training regimen I was going through. I made the shortsighted choice to hopefully accelerate the healing process and allow me to keep training. Under the pressure of literally not being able to pay next months bills I made a choice. I had to fight and did whatever I could to do so.

I hope my fans, students, the UFC and the public accept my
sincere apology. Whatever punishment is dictated by the California Athletic Commission I will understand. I would like to get through this very difficult time and the times ahead and get back to fighting. All the best to my fans and much thanks to my family and friends that continue to support me during these times.

-Hermes Franca

**Franca tested positive to Drostanolone. He has been fined $2500 and suspended through his licensing year which is July 5, 2008.

[vansabu]

Good of Hermes to apologize...He had a tough choice, it probably wasnt the best choice, but no one is perfect. I hope he heals and can come back as good as ever.

[hofclemens]

Sylvia did get stripped when he tested positive although he pretty much stepped right back into the title picture his first fight back. The Heavyweight divison was pretty thin back then so I have a feeling Shrek won't have such an easy time.

White said Penn was in line to take on Sherk before the test and that was a match I was really looking forward to seeing.

[dukedave]

hofclemens said:

Sylvia did get stripped when he tested positive although he pretty much stepped right back into the title picture his first fight back. The Heavyweight divison was pretty thin back then so I have a feeling Shrek won't have such an easy time.

Sylvia and Shrek are the same person. Surely you meant Sherk

[hofclemens]

ah yes good call. The first time I actually shaw Sherk (UFC 39) I actually thought his name was Shrek and how funny it was, later I found out that wasn't the case

[habbalah]

I'm kinda surprised no one brought up the worst case scenario. We might see the light weight title shelved again and the light weight division scrapped a second time in the ufc. It already happened once for much less.

Now I'm sure (God I hope) this won't happen but Dana did have his heart set on getting the belt around Sherk in the first place. After all he put him in a fight with a ultimate fighter for his first light weight fight.

If Dana looks at this as a set back he might give in to frusttration and do away with light weights. After all with the WEC around as the ufcs sister company he might have some incentive to do so (open up the light weight class over there).

Let’s look at the facts. The ufc doesn’t do tournaments. So that’s out (sadly) so I need you all to think like Dana White.. If you were Dana White..thinking like Dana white... what two fighters would be fighting to fill the empty spot right now?

I can’t really think of any. What fighter at light weight (let alone two) truly impress White that much right now?

[Darth Turkish]

They have spent too much money on LW division to simply scrap it after this.

With all of the LW they have been highihting, the Pride LWs and the TUF guys, they could put an entertaining match on for the title, I am sure.

Joe Stevenson v Kenny Florian, maybe?