"Sherk"ing Responsibility

UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk (left) and number one contender Hermes Franca squared off for the UFC’s Lightweight Championship earlier this month, and after five rounds of complete domination by the champion, Sherk retained his belt with a unanimous decision victory. At no point was the champion close to finishing Franca, but after five rounds of slamming him to the ground, passing his guard, mounting him at will and escaping his submission attempts, one thing became unmistakably clear. Few lightweights will be able to deal with the strength that Sherk brings into the Octagon.

Sean Sherk had become somewhat of a hero in recent weeks. Shortly before UFC 73, UFC All-Access—which gives fans a behind-the-scenes glance at fighters’ home life and training regimen—featured the Lightweight Champion and left the MMA world abuzz. Sprinting up steep hills, smashing truck tires with sledgehammers, sparring ten rounds without a hint of rest, Sherk showed fans all around exactly how he got his chiseled physique…or so we thought.

Last Thursday the California State Athletic Commission revealed that both Sherk and Franca both failed their pre-fight drug tests. Both tested positive for anabolic steroids. Franca quickly issued an apology, admitting guilt and claiming that he took the drugs to help him recover from a pre-fight injury. Sherk denies the allegations altogether. Both fighters will be fined a portion of their winnings and must serve a one-year suspension. Sherk has filed an appeal, and a hearing will take place early next month.

I’m not going to say Sherk is guilty, but look that the picture above. He looks more juiced than a bottle of Hawaiian Punch!

Unfortunately, Sherk and Franca’s failed drug tests are not isolated incidents but rather further evidence of growing steroid problem in MMA. Tim Sylvia has tested positive, as has Royce Gracie. You can add Kevin Randleman and Vitor Belfort to the list too. The problem is that, at the moment, UFC drug testing is conducted on a largely random basis. Those fighting for a title can expect to tested, but other than that, it’s only as unfortunate few.

Doping no doubt gives athletes in other sports an unfair advantage, but in MMA it’s simply dangerous. Remember Diego Sanchez’s knockout of Joe Riggs or Rashad Evans’ high kick against Sean Salmon. Think of what Gabriel Gonzaga did to Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 70. If Sanchez, Evans, and Gonzaga can do that to their opponents when they passed their drugs tests, can you imagine what they could do on steroids?

As much as I love MMA, I must say that it does provide greater risk for injury than most other mainstream sports. And if someone is seriously injured—or worse yet killed—in the Octagon, that just may be the death knell for the UFC. If UFC president Dana has even a scintilla of integrity or concern for his fighters, he will take drug testing into his own hands. At the moment he’s content to leave it up to state athletic commissions.

The fact is this. The more doping in MMA, the more likely it is for someone to get seriously injured in the Octagon. If Mr. White doesn't act soon, he may pay dearly!