This is some pretty old news, but in case you haven't heard:
I've been defending the MMA/UFC circut for a long time, especially here. I just wanted to say how dissapointed I am to hear this news. I guess I naively assumed that they were tested. I also looked up to these fighters, thinking that what they had accomplished was capable through non-chemistry-altering methods.
However, while I don't want to make excuses for these athletes (and for the many more who weren't caught yet continue to fight), I still wanted to say that steroids aren't going to make up for anything if you don't have the work ethic.
Here is a glimpse of Sean Sherk's training. Most people simply don't have the drive and work ethic required to complete this level of intense training...most people can't set goals and accomplish them like this man does. Not only do you see what he does in the gym, you are able to see that he completely dedicated to accomplishing his goals. Steroids can't give you that. Steroids helped by speeding his recovery so that he could train more, longer, but that is not looking at the big picture.
Still, I want to reiterate that I am dissapointed, but I have not and will not damn the men who put in the time and effort to make themselves great. I don't condone the use of anabolics, but anabolics are responsible for only a small fraction of the success these athletes have achieved.
UFC champion tests positive for steroid
Sean Sherk faces a one-year suspension. His opponent in July 7 title defense also tests positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
By Lance Pugmire, Times Staff Writer
July 20, 2007
UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk, who successfully defended his belt July 7 in Sacramento, tested positive for the steroid nandrolone and faces a one-year suspension, the California State Athletic Commission announced Thursday.
Sherk's opponent, Hermes Franca, also tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug, drostanolone, and also faces a one-year ban from competition.
"This [testing] is our standard operating procedure," said Armando Garcia, executive director of the state athletic commission. "Unfortunately, it occurred with two outstanding athletes."
Nicknamed "Muscle Shark," Sherk, 33, won the fight by unanimous decision in a five-round battle that was mostly contested in a grappling position. It was his first title defense after returning from a shoulder injury.
Sherk's nandrolone level was six times more than a normal human's, and twice the amount produced by high-performance athletes, according to World Anti Doping Administration standards, Garcia said.
Sherk earned $28,000 for the fight. He was fined $2,500 for the positive test, and will be suspended from fighting in California until July 2008, Garcia said.
That one-year suspension is expected to be respected in states that also have athletic commissions, such as Nevada, Garcia said.
"Some promoters may try to get their guy to fight in states without commissions, and that's beyond our jurisdiction, but if it's a legitimate promoter like the UFC, they wouldn't do anything like that," Garcia said.
In a prepared statement released Thursday, UFC President Dana White said, "Our policy on fighters using steroids, illegal drugs or any banned substance remains the same — you cannot use them. It's not only unhealthy and unsafe, it's 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."
Sherk (36-2-1) has appealed his fine and suspension, and will be allowed to present his case at an Aug. 6 hearing in Los Angeles. Franca (19-6), who earned $14,000 for the fight, has not appealed his suspension or $2,500 fine, Garcia said. White will decide after the hearing if he'll vacate the lightweight title, a UFC official said Thursday.
Sean Sherk faces a one-year suspension. His opponent in July 7 title defense also tests positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
By Lance Pugmire, Times Staff Writer
July 20, 2007
UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk, who successfully defended his belt July 7 in Sacramento, tested positive for the steroid nandrolone and faces a one-year suspension, the California State Athletic Commission announced Thursday.
Sherk's opponent, Hermes Franca, also tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug, drostanolone, and also faces a one-year ban from competition.
"This [testing] is our standard operating procedure," said Armando Garcia, executive director of the state athletic commission. "Unfortunately, it occurred with two outstanding athletes."
Nicknamed "Muscle Shark," Sherk, 33, won the fight by unanimous decision in a five-round battle that was mostly contested in a grappling position. It was his first title defense after returning from a shoulder injury.
Sherk's nandrolone level was six times more than a normal human's, and twice the amount produced by high-performance athletes, according to World Anti Doping Administration standards, Garcia said.
Sherk earned $28,000 for the fight. He was fined $2,500 for the positive test, and will be suspended from fighting in California until July 2008, Garcia said.
That one-year suspension is expected to be respected in states that also have athletic commissions, such as Nevada, Garcia said.
"Some promoters may try to get their guy to fight in states without commissions, and that's beyond our jurisdiction, but if it's a legitimate promoter like the UFC, they wouldn't do anything like that," Garcia said.
In a prepared statement released Thursday, UFC President Dana White said, "Our policy on fighters using steroids, illegal drugs or any banned substance remains the same — you cannot use them. It's not only unhealthy and unsafe, it's 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."
Sherk (36-2-1) has appealed his fine and suspension, and will be allowed to present his case at an Aug. 6 hearing in Los Angeles. Franca (19-6), who earned $14,000 for the fight, has not appealed his suspension or $2,500 fine, Garcia said. White will decide after the hearing if he'll vacate the lightweight title, a UFC official said Thursday.
I've been defending the MMA/UFC circut for a long time, especially here. I just wanted to say how dissapointed I am to hear this news. I guess I naively assumed that they were tested. I also looked up to these fighters, thinking that what they had accomplished was capable through non-chemistry-altering methods.
However, while I don't want to make excuses for these athletes (and for the many more who weren't caught yet continue to fight), I still wanted to say that steroids aren't going to make up for anything if you don't have the work ethic.
Here is a glimpse of Sean Sherk's training. Most people simply don't have the drive and work ethic required to complete this level of intense training...most people can't set goals and accomplish them like this man does. Not only do you see what he does in the gym, you are able to see that he completely dedicated to accomplishing his goals. Steroids can't give you that. Steroids helped by speeding his recovery so that he could train more, longer, but that is not looking at the big picture.
Still, I want to reiterate that I am dissapointed, but I have not and will not damn the men who put in the time and effort to make themselves great. I don't condone the use of anabolics, but anabolics are responsible for only a small fraction of the success these athletes have achieved.
Comment