Sherk Receives Reduced Suspension

Dec 4, 2007 5:38 PM John Chandler

The California State Athletic Commission announced earlier today that they have reduced UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk’s suspension from one year to six months.

Sherk will now be permitted to return to action on January 19th. He will not be fined the original amount of $2500.

According to a Sherk quote posted by MMA Weekly, this whole ordeal might not be ending anytime soon:

Following the hearing, he stated, “I’m not happy at all with (a six-month suspension and fine). This is not over,” indicating that he would be discussing possible legal action with his attorneys.

I guess we’ll be finding out over the next couple of days whether or not Sherk will be stripped of his title. He is available to fight again next month but it depends whether or not the UFC is going to take the fact that he is still considered to have tested positive for steroids under consideration.

Also announced today was the upheld suspension of light heavyweight Kazuhiro Nakamura. Nakamura’s mandatory 90 day suspension will continue and he will be forced to pay a $500 fine. The CSAC originally announced that Nakamura tested positive for marjiuana on September 26th.

Adam Smith’s appeal was dropped after he failed to appear at his scheduled hearing.

More reaction:

Fight Opinion: Sean Sherk eligible to return to action in January
The Fight Network: Sherk Suspension Halved
MMA Junkie: Sean Sherk’s Steroid Suspension Reduced, Eligible to Fight in January.
MMA Mania: Report: CSAC reduces Sean Sherk steroids suspension to six months
Bloody Elbow: Sean Sherk Eligible To Fight In January
Five Ounces of Pain: Highlights from Sean Sherk on the Stephen Quadros Show
UFC Daily: The Latest CSAC Verdicts; Sherk’s Suspension Reduced
411 Mania: More News From Sherk Appeal Hearing

Update 12:00 PM: Sherdog spoke to Sherk after the ruling went down and learned that Sherk plans to never fight in the state of California again:

“Absolutely not. No way. It’s not even an option,” Sherk said. “It won’t even be offered to me. I will not fight in the state of California again. No way.”

Athletic Commissions • CSAC • Adam Smith • Kazuhiro Nakamura • Sean Sherk • Strikeforce • UFC • Heavyweight • Light Heavyweight • Lightweight

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Comments:

1. Bill Reger
Dec 6, 2007 6:38 PM

As I’ve read more of the actual hearing and the process it took, its more and more screwed up. Rather than presenting their cases, as all previous appeals had been allowed to do, the parties were allowed one period of statements, in effect closing statements. When Sherk’s attorney Howard Jacobs showed serious missteps by the lab, the lab refuted them and Jacobs was not allowed to refute the lab. Once again, the CSAC changed their procedure mid stream.

Also interesting was the vote procedure. The first vote, to uphold the original suspension was shot down 2-4. The second vote to half the suspension was also shot down 2-4. A few minutes of debate, and the motion to half the suspension was reintroduced. This time it passed, 4-2. 2 commissioners changed their vote. You almost get the idea they just wanted to get out of there. No doubt there will be legal action taken by Sherk’s team.

Do I think he juiced? I just don’t know. But what I find really stupid is how so many feel he is absolutely guilty based on his physique. What a opinion of ignorance that is. I’ve had literally a half dozen wrestlers that I have personally worked with who have had similar builds and without a doubt, did not use steroids.