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MMM and steriods controversy
Sean Sherk will have a shot at the winner of the BJ Penn vs. Joe Stevenson fight at UFC 80 after he is released from his suspension for testing positive for steroids at UFC 73.
In UFC 80 set for January 19, 2008, BJ Penn will fight Joe Stevenson for the vacant lightweight title. This vacant title is a result of Sean Sherk being stripped of his lightweight title for testing positive for steriods. As a result of his positive test, Sherk was stripped of the belt and faced a 6 month suspension after initially winning the title in UFC 64 but in his title defence against Hermes Franca at UFC 73 on July 7, 2007, he tested positive for steriods.
Although Sherk is still appealing the suspension saying that the test results or methodology was flawed (initially the suspension was for 1 year but was later changed to 6 months), UFC president Dana White has said that after the suspension Sherk will fight the winner of the Penn-Stevenson fight, possibly in April 2008. Penn has expressed some displeasure for fighting Sherk if he is ultimately found to have used steriods as he does not want to fight a "cheater".
Many in the industry think that such incidents of steriod use should be dealt with harshly as it sends a message to others not to cheat. However with "cheaters" prospering in running, cycling, baseball and other sporting events and seemingly getting away with it, it seems that even a 1 year suspension for Sherk, if he is ultimately found guilty, sends the wrong message to others in the sport.
Cheating. Whether in sports, the corporate world or in grade school seems to be a legitimate way to get ahead if you are skillful enough avoid being caught.
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