The Latest CSAC Verdicts; Sherk’s Suspension Reduced
Kazuhiro Nakamura:
PRIDE veteran, Kazuhiro Nakamura’s appeal was denied today by the California State Athletic Commission. Following his loss to Lyoto Machida during his UFC debut at UFC 76, Nakamura was suspended for testing positive for marijuana use. Although Nakamura has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence, the CSAC has upheld his 90-day suspension and $500 fine.
Sean Sherk:
UFC Lightweight Champion, Sean “The Muscle Shark” Sherk tested positive for the banned substance Nandrolone following his successful title defense over Hermes Franca on July 7th, 2007 at UFC 73. After a rollercoaster of a hearing, today the CSAC has decided to reduce Sherk’s suspension from one year down to six months. The original $2500 fine however will be upheld by the CSAC.
What Next?
With Sherk’s suspension reduced to only six months, he will be eligible to return to action in early January 2008. Coincidentally, around the same time, BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson will clash heads for the Interim Lightweight Championship. It will be interesting to see how the UFC will decide to deal with Sean Sherk. Will Sherk be stripped of the title? Hard to say. During the UFC 78: Validation press conference, UFC president, Dana White did mention that if Sherk was to be found guilty by the CSAC, the UFC would probably revoke his title.
Will the “reduced sentence” affect the UFC’s decision? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Tags: Kazuhiro Nakamura, Sean Sherk
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Well written Derek. This is the exact outcome expected but not necessarily what I think should have happened. Sherk and Baroni showed some major flaws in the CSAC and with all the mistakes it should have been tossed out in my opinion.
Do I think Sherk is innocent? I’m not sure but his defense seems pretty legitimate to me and if what he has said in terms of the CSAC’s handling of his test then they need to make a few policy changes.
they need to revoke his title… it is stupid that you can be caught using a banned substance and not be stripped of your titles… it is CHEATING! I know he says he had no idea he was taking these… but he was still taking them.
Its no surprise that fighters are using steroids. Its hard to pack on that much muscle and to have so much energy. Not imposible though. But to look and fight the way they do it is questionable. And for their blood to come up positive there shouldnt be any question, they’re quilty.
I think that fighters should be randomly tested during training, its no secret that the ones that are using slowly come off the substances as the fight night gets close in order to pass testing.
Baroni is a liar. Sherk should be stripped and made an example of. Even if youre friends with Dana, your not above the rules that every other honest fighter is following. Its disrespectfull to all the fighter who train their asses off.
Nakamura? Come on, its POT!!!! What can he possibly gain from that, if anything it harms him. I should know. Hes not that smart, there are so many things he could of taken to pass that test.
Hey thanks Kris. You know I’m not too sure on where I stand on this one.
The fact that the charges were not completely dropped suggests that Sherk was guilty.
The fact that they decided to reduce the sentence means that the CSAC may have realized that they did not handle the case properly.
Really I don’t know. However, being that Sherk was not completely cleared I think Dana White should do the honorable thing and strip him and then immediately let him fight the winner of the Penn-Stevenson fight for the belt.
I hear ya Derek….I kinda like Sherk…but its hard to not believe that he is guilty.
sherk was suppose 2 be guilty so with that in mind does ufc 80 change 2 sherk v.s penn ??
and another thing i heard tommy speer is the one that leaves towmorrows show is dat true and if so why did he leave was it because of injury??
you will just have to wait till tommorrow…no one is going to know the answer to that dude. The moderators dont even have the answers to that…….Spike and the UFC guard them episodes with dogs that spit bullets out their mouth and fireballs out thier ass. You can take your chances getting the tapes……but I recommend just waiting till tommorrow night and watch the show like the rest of us.
I have thought he was guilty the whole time, but the CSAC has messed up too many times. I think Sherk should be stripped, and I also think that fighters who do test positive should be on probation when they return from suspension (monthly testing) It sucks that the CSAC is so messed up because it makes me (almost) feel sorry for anyone who gets a positive test through them, but at least it brings their problems to light. All of the fighters (and their lawyers) know how unprofessional the CSAC has run past cases, and know what to say to bring up doubt when the CSAC is involved. The only way to still keep respect in the UFC is to strip Sherk, and then solve the problem of future testing.
roid boy should be stripped of that title for sure, like look at the guy, you think he got that big from the prayers, the trainin and the vitamins, I don’t think so hulkamaniacs. Penn is gonna tune him anyways, but he should be made an example of
Roid-wonder-boy needs to made an example of.
I see many of the MMA fighters looking like roid-wonders.
It is possible to have a body like sherk’s without steroids… I worked hard to get in the shape I’m in and it sucks to be accused of using steroids just cuz so many lazy ass athletes do it.. it’s BS that so many people these days want to take the easy road instead of putting in the hard work. I think he should be stripped and the penn-stevenson fight should be for the full blown belt not some interim crap. Also sherk should not be allowed to fight for a title for a minimum of a year.
whats the deal with all these athletes today comin up positive and giving that lame excuse they didn’t know what they were taking? Sherk said it… Bonds said it… Marion Jones said it.. Whats the deal you’ll put anything in your mouth a “trainer” tells you with no questions ask?