Sherk Won't Meet CSAC on Nov. 13

The appeal of UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk (Pictures)'s positive test for steroids will not take place Nov. 13, as was rescheduled after his case was put into recess on Halloween.

"November 13 is absolutely out," California State Athletic Commission staffer Bill Douglas confirmed to Sherdog.com. "The date that's being worked on right now -- rooms are being reserved, schedules are being coordinated, everything is happening -- looks like Dec. 4" if a quorum of commissioners can be formed.

Reacting to the delay following a hearing on Oct. 31 in Los Angeles, the UFC announced last week that it would promote an interim 155-pound title fight featuring B.J. Penn (Pictures) and Joe Stevenson (Joe Stevenson' class='LinkSilver'>Pictures), making the delay to December less painful to Sherk, who said he wants to return to fighting as soon as possible.

The CSAC alleges Sherk failed a steroid test stemming from his July 7 title defense at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, Calif. Sherk was notified that he tested positive for nandrolone metabolite, and as a result he was suspended one year and fined $2,500.

To represent him, Sherk hired attorney Howard Jacobs, a specialist in cases regarding athletes testing positive for banned substances.

The Oct. 31 delay stemmed from a pre-hearing packet Jacobs filed with representatives of California and the CSAC, but was not disseminated to the six-member commission. In it Jacobs asked for the admission of a polygraph from Sherk in which he was apparently truthful in statements denying steroid usage. The packet also indicated that supplements Sherk ingested in the lead up to the fight could have been contaminated with anabolic agents.