The following is an excerpt from an article in the Houston Chronicle:

[B.J.] Penn has been critical of Sherk, suggesting there should be a separate division for fighters found cheating, and intimated that he wouldn't fight Sherk if Sherk's suspension were upheld. While Penn has backed away from those comments and now says he will entertain a fight with the former champion, he continues to take his shots.

"That's what he is; he's a 'roider, huh?" said Penn, who has been outspoken in his opposition to performance-enhancing drugs in the sport.

"The guy has been cheating for how many years? At least everybody knows now what everybody had suspected the whole time.

"But honestly, I can't worry about Sean Sherk right now. I can't look past Joe Stevenson. I've got to beat him, or there won't be any fight with Sean Sherk, there won't be any fight with Matt Hughes.

"As far as Sherk goes, he's going to have to sit on the side and wait while the two people fight for the real lightweight championship, not the 'steroid championship.' "

To read the complete article, click here.