THE CANADIAN PRESS
NEWARK, N.J. -- B.J. Penn has his eye on Sean Sherk's UFC lightweight title, so he may not be the most neutral observer when it comes to Sherk's positive drug test at UFC 73. But the Hawaii mixed martial arts fighter known as The Prodigy doesn't mince words when it comes to Sherk.
The UFC has matched Penn against Joe Stevenson in January at UFC 80 in Newcastle, England, for the interim 155-pound championship, while Sherk appeals his test for steroids.
"Sean Sherk can say it's a fake interim title, but his belt is no more real than Marion Jones' gold medals," Penn told a gathering of the UFC Fight Club before Friday's weigh-in for UFC 78 at the Prudential Center.
Jones is the U.S. sprinter and multiple Olympic medallist who recently admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs.
Should Sherk win his appeal, he will be matched against the Penn-Stevenson winner. If he loses, the winner of the UFC 80 bout will get full ownership of the lightweight title.
In a later interview, Penn said it's hard to argue with a positive drug test.
"Looking at him, he doesn't look like he's ever done steroids in his life," Penn, his tongue firmly lodged in his cheek, said of the musclebound Sherk.
Penn also ripped Sherk for failing to finish fights, noting he needed five rounds to beat Hermes Franca at UFC 73.
"He made us sit through that whole thing with Hermes Franca," said Penn.
Source:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/mma/2007/11/16/penn_sherk/
