Dana confirms Sherk will fight winner of Penn/Stevenson - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

The-Iceman-Chuck-Liddell · 12-11-2007, 11:48 AM

http://mmajunkie.com/2007/12/10/dana...stevenson/Sean

Quote:

Sherk may have lost his UFC lightweight title, but he won’t have to wait too long to get a shot at getting it back.

According to a story from Thomas Gerbasi posted today at UFC.com, Sherk (32-2-1 MMA, 6-2 UFC) will face with winner of the fight between BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson which headlines UFC 80 on Jan. 19 in Newcastle, England.

According to White, from the UFC.com article:

“I have nothing but respect for Sean Sherk and I believe he’s been honest throughout this whole process,” said UFC President Dana White. “But BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson will be fighting for the lightweight title at UFC 80 on January 19th and Sean Sherk will fight the winner for the title.”

Sherk was stripped of his belt as a result of the California State Athletic Commission failing to overturn his suspension due to a positive test for the anabolic steroid Nandrolone, more commonly known as Decadurabolin. Sherk tested positive for the steroid after his July 7 title defense in Sacramento, Calif. where he defeated Hermes Franca.

On Tuesday December 4th, the commission cut his one-year suspension to six months, but upheld the $2,500 fine and the positive test result. Sherk is now eligible to fight again on Jan. 3rd 2008.

For previous MMAjunkie.com coverage of the Sean Sherk steroid story, see:

I'm really glad to hear this. He still will be the champion sometime this year.

Mouth For War · 12-11-2007, 11:52 AM

I'm not sure why they would do this. What is the point of even stripping him of the belt then, thats not even a real punishment. I'm not quite happy with this decision its going to make the sport look bad.

FightFan23 · 12-11-2007, 11:58 AM

Basically I think they did it just so they dont have a champion who is on a suspension for a positive test that has reduced and not cleared..

Thats just my 2 cents.

Ring_Raider_07 · 12-11-2007, 12:12 PM

Here's an interview w/ Sherk.

Clicky.

He's pretty harsh towards Penn. I'd rather see Penn vs. Sherk than Stevenson vs. Sherk.

daval · 12-11-2007, 12:41 PM

My heart says yay! One of my favourite fighters gets another shot at the title!

My head says wtf? What was the point of stripping him then?

mlabelle · 12-11-2007, 02:54 PM

UFC's image.

OneBigThrow · 12-11-2007, 03:20 PM

it just feels corrupt

he should have to work his way back up, there are too many others who deserve to fight for the title

have sherk knock some of them down, or adversely have them step over him

WarDawg · 12-11-2007, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneBigThrow

it just feels corrupt

he should have to work his way back up, there are too many others who deserve to fight for the title

have sherk knock some of them down, or adversely have them step over him

Amen .... Sherk is Danna boy... Clear and simple. He got no punishment at all. Shame on you Danna White....WD

DoQ1 · 12-11-2007, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarDawg

Amen .... Sherk is Danna boy... Clear and simple. He got no punishment at all. Shame on you Danna White....WD

So is the fight at 155 or will sherk be like 145 w/o the juice?

If it is Joe then Sherk may win, but the road is much tougher against BJ with better hands and much better BJJ and great TD defense. Just ask Hughes about the TD defense.

kbtat2 · 12-11-2007, 09:17 PM

Here's what I want to know, why did they reduce his suspension?
If he is guilty then leave it at the original year. If he isn't guilty then drop it all together.
I have to agree with Sherk that there's some funny stuff going on with the CSAC.
The whole voting process over his suspension was skewed IMO, they had to vote over it twice which means some of them were wishy-washy.

DoQ1 · 12-11-2007, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbtat2

Here's what I want to know, why did they reduce his suspension?
If he is guilty then leave it at the original year. If he isn't guilty then drop it all together.
I have to agree with Sherk that there's some funny stuff going on with the CSAC.
The whole voting process over his suspension was skewed IMO, they had to vote over it twice which means some of them were wishy-washy.

So your stance is that you do not want ANY lieniency whatsoever??

They reviewed the facts agreed he did not know, but agreed he did piss hot.

They met him in the middle. Don't use if you don't want to lose.

kbtat2 · 12-11-2007, 09:49 PM

You know, I tried to write a response and the more I wrote the more I realized that this is just a mess. There have been recent studies showing that there are banned substances in OTC supplements, the fact that Nandrolone is naturally produced by our own systems, although in WAY smaller quantities than what was found in Sherk, etc, etc.
There is just such a huge grey area that there really is no way to tell whether an athlete 100% knowingly broke the rules or not.
But in regards to his suspension, the rules are the rules. Was his sample half dirty? No, it wasn't. So I still don't understand the reduced suspension.
And to clarify my opinion of Sherk overall, I am a fan of his. I would like to think he didn't knowingly do it.

PINOYPRIDE · 12-15-2007, 11:12 AM

Why Dana, why?? You made Tim climb up the rankings with the same situation and you give Sean an immediate title match???

takeAnap · 12-15-2007, 01:26 PM

I'm glad Sherk is going to be fighting again, but he did get over on the system.

I would of much rather be seeing Penn vs. Florian as apposed to Stevenson. I think Florian has earned a shot at the title.

stillstanding · 12-15-2007, 05:34 PM

No matter what happens, 08 is going to be the year of LWs

majestyk1976 · 12-15-2007, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takeAnap

I'm glad Sherk is going to be fighting again, but he did get over on the system.

I would of much rather be seeing Penn vs. Florian as apposed to Stevenson. I think Florian has earned a shot at the title.

And who has BJ Penn fought to get a title shot in this weight class?

majestyk1976 · 12-15-2007, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PINOYPRIDE

Why Dana, why?? You made Tim climb up the rankings with the same situation and you give Sean an immediate title match???

Again, IMO, who has Penn fought in this weight class to get a title shot ?

opsy · 12-15-2007, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by majestyk1976

Again, IMO, who has Penn fought in this weight class to get a title shot ?

Bro, he went up 18 weight classes and fought Machida. And under pride rules he so would have won. What other LW in the UFC has done that? NO ONE

Mickey Finn · 12-15-2007, 06:57 PM

has anyone ever fought at as many and as far apart weight categories as bj penn?

majestyk1976 · 12-16-2007, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opsy

Bro, he went up 18 weight classes and fought Machida. And under pride rules he so would have won. What other LW in the UFC has done that? NO ONE

Congrats to him. I think he's an awesome fighter. But lets talk about present day here. So many are bashing Sherk that he doesn't deserve a title shot so soon after the fact, I'm just wondering who Penn has FOUGHT @ 155 besides Pulver a few months ago in this weight class to get a title shot? There are some awesome fighters in this weight class that he jumped.