The following is from the Sports Ticker:
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.
And here is the official UFC.com release on the subject:
California Athletic Commission Grants Continuance For Sean Sherk
LAS VEGAS, NV August 6, 2007 — At a hearing in Los Angeles today, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) granted a continuance for UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk’s appeal of his positive test for the banned substance “Nandrolone” after his July 7th win over Hermes Franca at UFC 73 in Sacramento.
Sherk’s attorney Howard L. Jacobs requested the continuance to allow time to acquire documentation from the laboratory where the drug tests were conducted.
Hermes Franca, who tested positive for “Drostanolone” after his July 7 bout with Sherk, was also present at today’s hearing. Franca admitted to taking the substance and the CSAC suspended him for one year beginning July 7 and fined him $2,500.
It is expected that Sherk’s continued appeal will take place at the CSAC’s next meeting in October.
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