UFC champ Sherk granted continuance in steroid appeal

August 6, 2007
By Anthony Malakian PA SportsTicker

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion Sean Sherk will have some extra time to work out his defense for a failed drug test.

The California State Athletic Commission on Monday granted Sherk a continuance on his appeal after he tested positive for steroids on July 7 following a bout against Hermes Franca.

The CSAC revealed on July 19 that Sherk had tested positive for Nandrolone. Franca also tested positive and both fighters were fined $2,500 and suspended for one year.

Sherk was granted a continuation until the next meeting in October.

Both of Sherk's "A" and "B" samples came back positive but Sherk said in an earlier statement: "At the present time, I cannot explain the positive drug test in Sacramento, California. I know that I have never used any steroids or other banned substances, and I am investigating possible causes of the positive test with my attorney (Howard Jacobs)."

Franca tested positive for Drostanolone. He admitted using a banned substance and publicly apologized to his fans on a fight web site.

After making the commission aware of his admission of guilty, Franca asked for leniency. The commission responded by allowing Franca to act as a corner man for the fighters he works with.