Only a few weeks ago I posted the following:

Nick Diaz is clearly responsible for his own actions, but after the surprise drug test of Josh Barnett he should have been prepared. Someone at the CSAC is clearly singling out high-profile MMA fighters who have checkered histories for special scrutiny.

Guess what, looks like Sean Sherk is the latest to be targeted for a "random" drug test by the CSAC. From the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (HT CageSide Seats):

Word of the injury got out on the evening of 9/2, a few hours after he was scheduled to take a random drug test by the California State Athletic Commission. He didn’t get on the flight to California and when he no-showed, UFC informed the commission that Sherk was injured and was off the card

Zak Woods saw this story coming:

Sean Sherk once swore off the entire state of California after his positive steroid test and lengthy, horribly run, appeal process.

Sherk apparently didn't listen when I pointed out that the CSAC random drug testing system is clearly targeting fighters who have previously failed drug tests. I was honestly surprised when the UFC booked Sherk to fight in California again after all the problems he had in the past.

I contacted Sherk's manager Monte Cox who emailed me the following:

Sean has passed 7 drug tests since the California incident... he separated his shoulder in training and had to pull out of his fight... MRI was sent to Zuffa. He didn't skip any test... if you're not fighting, you're not going to apply for a license. No big conspiracy in this.

UPDATE: Sherk talking to MMA Weekly in February 2008:

"There's no reason for me to ever fight in California again. The way they treated my case and the way they handled everything was so unprofessional that there's absolutely no way I'll ever fight in the state of California again, unless they get rid of the entire commission and hire a whole new commission," Sherk told MMAWeekly.

This turned out to be truer than Sherk could have anticipated.