NSAC

Sherk Tests Negative in Nevada

Former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk, who is still feeling the after-effects of a positive test for steroids under the watch of the California State Athletic Commission last summer, tested negative for steroids and any drugs of abuse during a recent mandatory pre-fight test under the state of Nevada.

The news comes from MMA Weekly, which confirmed the results of Sherk’s submitted sample with Keith Kizer, the executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

“The NSAC received Mr. Sherk’s steroid and drug test results this morning and they were all negative,” Kizer said in the report, also dispelling previous rumors that Sherk had also passed a test as part of the commission’s newly-instituted procedure to test fighters randomly throughout the year.

While Sherk’s upcoming title bout against B.J. Penn late this month will mark the fifth time that Sherk has fought in the state of Nevada throughout the course of his career, the Minnesota native was merely required to send in a sample as part of licensure policy. However it’s key to note that fighters who have tested positive for a certain substance in the past or are under suspicion of doing so may also be tested under the new regulations.

Sherk was only officially released from his suspension under the CSAC last month. At the time, he had not paid his $2,500 fine ccording to CSAC official Bill Douglas.

Sherk Required to Submit Additional Sample

Former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk, who is still feeling the after-effects of a positive test for steroids under the watch of the California State Athletic Commission last summer, will be required to submit an additional drug test one month prior to his showdown with B.J. Penn at UFC 84: Ill Will.

Caleb of MMA Predictions reports that Sherk was informed of the mandatory pre-fight test via a tele-conference with the Nevada State Athletic Commission yesterday. It’s interesting to note that Sherk hasn’t even been licensed to fight in the state of Nevada as of yet. Passing his assigned test in two weeks will go a long way in getting approved I’m sure.

Something that can be filed as ‘WTF’:

One staff member also asked Sherk to explain an assault charge that Sherk received in 1994. Sherk explained that he was at a bar with friends, and one friend got into a fight with another group of men. Sherk got involved as the fight moved to the parking lot but claimed it was “a mistake… something I wouldn’t do again”.

This will be the fifth time that Sherk has fought in the state of Nevada throughout the course of his career and the NSAC is just now asking him about this? Maybe they’re just going with a zero-tolerance policy but asking him about things that have nothing to do with steroids doesn’t make much sense to me.

HT: MMA Mania

WEC 33: Marshall vs Stann Medical Suspensions

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has released the official list of medical suspensions stemming from this past week’s WEC 33: Marshall vs Stann, which took place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The event featured a total of ten fights. Brian Stann knocked out Doug Marshall to claim the World Extreme Cagefighting light heavyweight title. Middleweight contender Chael Sonnen dominated Bryan Baker over three rounds en route to an easy unanimous decision win.

Marshall could be medically suspended until September if his right foot is not cleared by a doctor. If he passes the examination, he is suspended until May 11th with no contact until April 26th. Bryan Baker and Brock Larson received similar suspensions for a facial laceration and a possible broken jaw respectively.

Tim McKenzie is suspended until April 26th with no contact until April 17th due to precautionary reasons. Sergio Gomez and Richard Crunkilton are also shelved for the same amount of time.

The following fighters also received medical suspensions: Blas Avena until May 26th, Chris Manuel until April 3rd, and Scott Harper until his left eye is cleared by an ophthalmologist.

WEC 33: Marshall vs Stann Fighter Salaries

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has released the official lists of fighter salaries stemming from this week’s WEC 33: Marshall vs Stann event, which took place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The event featured a total of ten fights. Brian Stann knocked out Doug Marshall to claim the World Extreme Cagefighting light heavyweight title. Middleweight contender Chael Sonnen dominated Bryan Baker over three rounds en route to an easy unanimous decision win.

Remember that this is only the base salary that a fighter received. Bonuses, deductions, and other undisclosed fees are not included.

Brian Stann ($18,000) def. Doug Marshall ($10,000)
Chael Sonnen ($34,000) def. Bryan Baker ($5,000)
Brock Larson ($24,000) def. John Alessio ($15,000)
Richard Crunkilton ($20,000) def. Sergio Gomez ($4,000)
Marcus Hicks ($10,000) def. Ed Ratcliff ($7,000)
Steve Cantwell ($8,000) def. Tim McKenzie ($6,000)
Hiromitsu Miura ($8,000) def. Blas Avena ($6,000)
Chris Manuel ($3,000) vs. Kenji Osawa ($5,000)
Alex Serdyukov ($12,000) def. Ryan Stonitsch ($3,000)
Logan Clark ($12,000) def. Scott Harper ($3,000

IFL Fighter Salaries and Event Numbers

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has released the official lists of fighter salaries stemming from this past weekend’s International Fight League: New Blood, New Battles event, which took place at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The event featured a total of three title fights. Roy Nelson and Ryan Schultz each successfully defend their respective belts while Ryan McGivern won a unanimous decision over Matt Horwich to claim the IFL middleweight title.

Remember that this is only the base salary that a fighter received. Bonuses, deductions, and other undisclosed fees are not included.

John Gunderson ($9,500) vs. Ryan Schultz ($26,000)
Fabiano Scherner ($7,500) vs. Roy Nelson ($24,000)
Ryan McGivern ($10,000) vs. Matt Horwich ($12,000)
Rafael Dias ($7,000) vs. Santino DeFranco ($5,000)
Leopoldo Serao ($4,000) vs. Josh Haynes ($6,000)
Alexandre Ferreira ($16,000) vs. Lew Polley ($4,000)
Jake Ellenberger ($15,000) vs. Pat Healy ($15,000)
Ian Loveland ($7,000) vs. Dennis Davis ($5,000)

The total disclosed fighter payroll was $165,500.

The total attendance was reported as 4,280: 1,606 tickets were paid for and 2,674 were given away. The total live gate for the event was $102,120.

UFC 81: Breaking Point Medical Suspensions

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has released the official list of medical suspensions stemming from this past weekend’s UFC 81: Breaking Point, which took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

The most notable suspension handed out by the commission was given to light heavyweight David Heath, who suffered a broken nose during his loss to newcomer Tim Boetsch in a preliminary bout. Heath has been sidelined until August 1st unlesss his nasal fracture is cleared by a doctor before then. If his fracture is cleared, he will only be suspended until April 1st and will not be permitted to participate in contact-related activities until March 19th.

March 19th is also the date that Kyle Bradley and Keita Nakamura are suspended until. Bradley suffered a facial laceration in his loss to Chris Lytle while Nakamura has been given a break for precautionary reasons.

Marvin Eastman, who was victorious in a three-round decision over Terry Martin, has been medically suspended until March 2nd with no contact because of a laceration on the lid of his right eye.

Former UFC heavyweight champions Frank Mir and Tim Sylvia have both been sidelined until March 3rd due to precautionary reasons. Mir also has a scalp laceration. Neither will be permitted to have contact during training until February 24th.

UFC 81: Breaking Point Fighter Salaries

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has released the official list of fighter salaries stemming from UFC 81: Breaking Point.

The event was highlighted by Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira becoming the first mixed martial artist in history to hold championship gold inside the confines of both the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the PRIDE Fighting Championships as he submitted former two-time champion Tim Sylvia to win the interim UFC heavyweight belt.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir also withered a barrage of punishment from one-time amateur and professional wrestling champion Brock Lesnar, before submitting the genetic monster with a patented kneebar midway through the first round.

Remember that this is only the base salary that a fighter received. Bonuses, deductions, and other undisclosed fees are not included.

Brock Lesnar: $250,000
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira: $200,000
Tim Sylvia: $100,000
Frank Mir: $80,000
Nate Marquardt: $52,000
Ricardo Almeida: $40,000
Tyson Griffin: $36,000
Jeremy Horn: $25,000
Chris Lytle: $24,000
Rob Emerson: $16,000
Marvin Eastman: $14,000
Tim Boetsch: $12,000
Terry Martin: $12,000
Gleison Tibau: $11,000
David Heath: $6,000
Keita Nakamura: $5,000
Rob Yundt: $5,000
Kyle Bradley: $4,000

Evening News and Notes: Jan 25, 2008

A good amount of news to report on…

NSAC Announces Tougher Drug Testing

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has announced that it has instituted expanded drug testing for state licensed fighters and those applying for new licenses as well.

The commission will now test fighters randomly throughout the year in hopes of lowering the number of positive tests.

“Random testing throughout the year will further deter any fighters considering taking non-approved substances,” NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer told MMA Weekly. “The additional testing, which will be paid for by the Commission, will help us keep the sport of unarmed combat safe and fair for all fighters.”

Fighters who have tested positive for a certain substance in the past or are under suspicion of doing so may also be tested under the new regulations.

Tanner-Okami Set for UFC 82, Not Montreal Show

The UFC officially announced three additional fights earlier today for UFC 82: Pride of a Champion on March 1st at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Heavyweights Heath Herring and Cheick Kongo will collide on the main card while Josh Koscheck and Dustin Hazelett will be featured on an undercard bout.

Evan Tanner’s return bout against Yushin Okami was also announced. UFC color commentator Joe Rogan apparently told members of the media that the fight would be taking place at the UFC’s Canada show in April but that obviously isn’t the case now.

New UFC Additions and TUF Rumored Participants

Two fighters are reportedly set to join the ranks of the UFC: Dong Hyun Kim and Rousimar Palhares.

Also, today marks the first day we have come across some TUF 7 rumored fighters. MMA Junkie has learned that Luke Zachrich will be on the show while Five Ounces of Pain is reporting that Mike Marrello will be on the show as well.

TKO 32: Ultimatum Update

TKO Championship Fighting has made some updates to the official card for TKO 32: Ultimatum, which will take place on February 28th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Notable additions and subtractions: While former TKO heavyweight champion Icho Larenas’ fight against Lance Evans is no longer listed (not sure why but I’ll still include the fight in our rumored card), popular hockey enforcer Steve Bosse will be back in action against Scott Wright at the event.

The current card as of right now:

Jesse Bongfeldt vs. T.J. Grant - TKO Welterweight Title
Jose Landi-Jons vs. TBA
Icho Larenas vs. Lance Evans
Steve Bosse vs. Scott Wright
Stephane Vigneault vs. Daniel Ferguson
Damacio Page vs. Justin Tavernini
Johan Croes vs. Mark Fraser
Yannick Galipeau vs. Derek Gauthier
Adrian Wooley vs. Syd Barnier
Jordan Mein vs. Samuel Guillet
Christopher Hulme vs. Joel Pigeon
Guillaume Lamarche vs. Tim Wadsworth

CKA: Jan 8, 2008

Above is the latest from The Garv who discusses the newly signed Kimbo Slice-Tank Abbott fight and how dangerous Miami is. I’m guessing that Will Smith is full of crap.

UFC Announces Nakamura-Emerson

The UFC has announced that a lightweight bout between Keita Nakamura and former Ultimate Fighter cast member Rob Emerson for UFC 81: Breaking Point next month.

Nakamura has not fought since losing a unanimous decision to Drew Fickett at UFC Fight Night 9 in April of last year. Nakamura also dropped a decision in his UFC debut against Brock Larson at UFC Fight Night 7.

Fresh off of his second stint in jail, Emerson will be making his first appearance inside the Octagon since his infamous fight against Gray Maynard at The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale where he tapped out due to a rib injury and Maynard knocked himself out slamming Emerson to the ground.

Kongo-Herring Imminent?

While bout agreements have not yet been signed, both Cheick Kongo and Heath Herring are expected to face off in a heavyweight bout at UFC 82 in March according to a report from MMA Mania.

Juanito Ibarra, one of Kongo’s trainers, has stated that his client is already training in preparation for the bout:

“Kongo’s here at my house already getting ready for the fight,” said Ibarra. “This is going to be his year. Kongo’s got all the talent to be a heavyweight champion real soon, I truly believe that. Heath’s a tough opponent and this is going to be a big test.”

UFC Releases Radev and Hightower

No, there hasn’t been an official announcement by Dana White and company. Instead the news comes inadvertently from Ken Pavia’s journal about his dieting adventure with Luke Cummo via MMA Junkie:

The day needed a pick-me-up so I called UFC matchmaker Joe Silva to check the progress of my guys’ fights. He said he was still working on it but then informed me they would be releasing two of them, Jordan Radev and Richie Hightower.

Apparently Radev has already been booked to fight Hector Lombard at Cage Fighting Championship’s third event on February 15th in Sydney, Australia.

Ryan Bennett Memorial Fund Reminder

While there aren’t any items currently up for auction for the Ryan Bennett Memorial Fund, remember that you can always donate directly to the fund by visiting it’s official website.

Any fighters that are interested in donating items that can be auctioned off such as autographed pictures, shorts, gloves, or anything else should contact Randy Harris at

Remember that all proceeds from the auctioned items go directly to the Ryan Bennett Memorial Fund.

Miscellaneous Notes

Marcelo Garcia has joined American Top Team. MMA Junkie is reporting that UFC Fight Night 13 will most likely take place on April 2nd at a site yet to be determined in Colorado. The Nevada State Athletic Commission corrected the attendance and revenues stemming from UFC 79 yesterday. Scott White has a good piece on David Loiseau’s return. John Philapavage tries to revive Mirko Cro Cop’s career.

Radio Schedule

12-1 PM EST - TAGG Radio
1-3 PM EST - The Jordan Breen Show
2-3 PM EST - The Lights Out Show
3-5 PM EST - The Stephen Quadros Show
3-4 PM EST - The Fight Network Radio
9-10 PM EST - MMAWeekly’s Sound Off
11 PM EST - Knockout Radio

As you can see above, Chris Fries and The JDH of MMA News fame will premiere their “Lights Out Show” this afternoon on TAGG Radio at 2 PM EST.

Fightlinker also has the newest edition of The Low Blow out.

UFC 79: Nemesis Medical Suspensions

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has released the official list of medical suspensions stemming from this past weekend’s UFC 79: Nemesis, which took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

The notable potential injury not mentioned on the list involved Nate Mohr, who had to be helped out of the cage after being submitted with an ankle lock by Manny Gamburyan. Various reports have made statements ranging from Mohr’s trainers hearing “a pop” to Mohr having a broken leg. Mohr has been medically suspended anyway until January 20th with no contact allowed until January 13th for precautionary reasons.

Chuck Liddell, Matt Hughes and Tony DeSouza have all been medically suspended until January 29th with no contact permitted until January 20th. Both Hughes and DeSouza have been suspended for precautionary reasons while Liddell has a laceration above his left eye.

James Irvin, who was knocked out by an illegal knee from Luis Cane, has been shelved until February 28th with no contact until January 13th because of precautionary reasons.

Both Wanderlei Silva and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou have been medically suspended until February 13th with no contact permitted until January 29th because of laceration around their right eyes.

Soa Palelei and Doug Evans received the worst medical suspensions. Palelei has been suspended until June 27th unless a broken nose and broken left orbital bone suffered in his fight with Eddie Sanchez are cleared by an ophthalmologist. Evans has been suspended for the same length of time unless a broken left thumb is cleared by a doctor. If it is, he will still be suspended until February 13th with no contact until January 29th because of an additional cut above his left eye.