UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk and challenger Hermes Franca have both filed appeals with the California State Athletic Commission. The appeals are challenging their positive drug tests following their Lightweight Championship bout at UFC 73 on July 7th and the subsequent year suspensions both received.

Sherk is seeking to overturn his positive anabolic steroid test for the banned substance Nandralone. Sherk has stated that he did not knowingly take the steroids and will be looking to challenge the results of the test which showed he had double the normal amount of Nandralone that a professional athlete typically has. Both his ‘A’ and ‘B’ samples showed similar amounts of the steroid. Sherk has been suspended one year from competition in California and fine $2,500. His appeal will be heard on August 6th.

Hermes Franca has also filed an appeal of his positive steroid test. Franca publicly admitted guilt and came clean so an appeal seemed unlikely although it appears he will be looking to have his one year suspension reduced, but not overturned. His appeal will also be heard on August 6th.

Although no results have ever been overturned by the athletic commission there is always a first time for everything. The fighters are likely to present scientific evidence, witnesses, and anything else that they feel may help their case.

The UFC will not take any action against either fighter until the appeals process is complete.

Tags: Hermes Franca, Sean Sherk