Sean Sherk Suspension From UFC

Sean Keith Sherk, the former Ultimate Fighting Championship champion, is considered by many as one of the greatest lightweight competitors of his era. Sherk is also credited with resurgence of the UFC Lightweight division and becoming the first UFC Lightweight champion after the lightweight division was re-introduced by the UFC.

Sherk started his MMA career in 1999 and then enjoyed an eight-win streak before he signed with the UFC in 2001. He fought only two fights before he left for the UFC but did made a return to fight Matt Hughes for the UFC Welterweight Championship where he lost the march. He signed with Pride Fighting Championships (Pride), a Japan-based organization.

In 2005, Sean Sherk was invited back to the Ultimate Fighting Championship for fight with Georges St. Pierre where he lost by TKO. In October 2006, Sherk defeated Kenny Florian via unanimous decision to win the UFC Lightweight Championship. In July 2007, he defended his title against Hermes Franca at UFC 73. It was later announced by the California State Athletic Commission that Sean Sherk had tested positive for Nandrolone, a banned anabolic steroid. Sherk was fined $2,500 and suspended from competing in California for one year after he tested positive for anabolic steroids (12 ng/ml of Nandrolone).

The suspension of Sherk was reduced to six months after he appealed against doping allegations. He became eligible to fight in early January 2008. The UFC officially stripped him of his Lightweight Championship.

In October 2012, Sherk indicated that he was planning to make a return to the UFC after rehabbing some injuries in the past. Sean Sherk formally announced his retirement from MMA fighting on September 2, 2013.