SACRAMENTO, Calif -- Ultimate Fighting lightweight champion Sean Sherk and challenger Hermes Franca received one-year suspensions and were fined $2,500 each by the California State Athletic Commission on Thursday for failing drug tests after their July 7 bout at UFC 73.
Sherk tested positive for nandrolone metabolites while Franca tested positive for drostanolone. Both are types of steroids, according to the commission. Franca admitted using a banned substance in a statement provided to MMAWeekly.com.
Sherk has filed an appeal, said Armando Garcia, the commission's executive officer, that will be heard at the commission's meeting in Los Angeles on Aug. 6.
''Our policy on fighters using steroids, illegal drugs or any banned substance remains the same - you cannot use them,'' UFC president Dana White said in a statement. ''It's not only unhealthy and unsafe, it is against the law. The UFC fully supports the commission's efforts and we will continue to take measures that keep this sport clean and keep the athletes safe.''
A UFC spokeswoman declined comment on whether the fighters would face additional sanctions from the organization. The suspension handed out by the California commission is nationwide, Garcia said.
Sherk won a five-round unanimous decision over Franca.
According to Franca's statement, he was desperate for a paycheck and tried to accelerate healing from an ankle injury.
''I made a decision during a difficult time in my training for the fight that I regret,'' he said.
Sherk didn't return a call seeking comment.
Sherk tested positive for nandrolone metabolites while Franca tested positive for drostanolone. Both are types of steroids, according to the commission. Franca admitted using a banned substance in a statement provided to MMAWeekly.com.
Sherk has filed an appeal, said Armando Garcia, the commission's executive officer, that will be heard at the commission's meeting in Los Angeles on Aug. 6.
''Our policy on fighters using steroids, illegal drugs or any banned substance remains the same - you cannot use them,'' UFC president Dana White said in a statement. ''It's not only unhealthy and unsafe, it is against the law. The UFC fully supports the commission's efforts and we will continue to take measures that keep this sport clean and keep the athletes safe.''
A UFC spokeswoman declined comment on whether the fighters would face additional sanctions from the organization. The suspension handed out by the California commission is nationwide, Garcia said.
Sherk won a five-round unanimous decision over Franca.
According to Franca's statement, he was desperate for a paycheck and tried to accelerate healing from an ankle injury.
''I made a decision during a difficult time in my training for the fight that I regret,'' he said.
Sherk didn't return a call seeking comment.
