Failed drug tests deal low blow to White, UFC, By: Steve Sievert
July 23, 2007
Sherk, Franca to appeal fines and suspensions
Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight titleholder Sean Sherk has filed an appeal over a positive test for steroids following his bout this month at UFC 73.
According to the California State Athletic Commission, Sherk and his opponent in the UFC 73 title fight, Hermes Franca, tested positive for banned substances. The commission has suspended the mixed martial artists for a year with $2,500 fines for each.
Sherk will get an opportunity to tell his side of the story at an Aug. 6 hearing with the panel. The Minnesota fighter's test showed a level of the steroid nandralone more than six times the level found in an average adult. Traces of nandralone can occur naturally in the body.
Sherk maintains his innocence and told the commission he never has heard of nandralone. Franca apologized to his fans in a statement to MMAWeekly.com in which he stopped short of acknowledging he took steroids but did say, "I made the shortsighted choice to, hopefully, accelerate the healing process and allow me to keep training."
The Brazilian injured an ankle eight weeks before the fight and sought to have the bout rescheduled. California officials said Franca tested positive for drostanolone, which is intended to be used as a treatment for cancer complications. Despite saying he made a decision that he regrets, Franca intends to appeal his suspension, as well.
Sherk and Franca aren't the first UFC fighters accused of having their hands in the steroid cookie jar, but they are among the most high-profile. Champions Josh Barnett and Tim Sylvia tested positive for steroids and were stripped of their titles. Those transgressions occurred in 2002 and 2003, respectively, well before the UFC went mainstream.
The positive tests from Sherk and Franca present the UFC with a far greater public relations problem now that its brand appears on national television on a regular basis and children are donning UFC T-shirts.
UFC president Dana White has maintained that his organization "hasn't been that bad" when it comes to its fighters using steroids, but the UFC also has chosen to keep the drug issue at arm's length. It failed to ensure drug testing this year at UFC 69 in Houston and UFC 72 in Northern Ireland and has relied on athletic commissions in California and Nevada to conduct testing at events.
Unlike the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball, the UFC does not drug test its athletes.
"Our policy on fighters using steroids, illegal drugs or any banned substance remains the same — you cannot use them," White said. "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."
The UFC has had no comment about the Sherk and Franca tests and likely will wait until the appeals process unfolds before making a decision on Sherk's champion status.
