Chase Sherman explains why he was unaware NSAC was fining him $5,000 before his last fight

LAS VEGAS – The year 2021 is one that UFC heavyweight Chase Sherman would quickly like to put behind him.

Not only did Sherman (15-8 MMA, 3-7 UFC) suffer a pair of setbacks inside the cage, he also had to deal with the added stress of a surprise $5,000 fine from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for a failed drug test before his last fight.

“USADA went to bat for me, they spoke to the commission and explained to them that it wasn’t anything performance-enhancing,” Sherman explained to MMA Junkie and other reporters at pre-fight media day on Wednesday. “In a sense, I was getting suspended for a failure to disclose, and that it was prior to ever being in competition, or being signed by the UFC. Apparently, the commission didn’t care and they slapped a big $5,000 fine on my check and just took it out.

“I didn’t know that was going to happen and Sean (Shelby) walked up to me and told me. He was like, ‘Yeah, sorry man.’ But you know, whatever. It’s just money.”

Sherman admits he probably would not have been so upset about the matter if they told him they were taking the money out after the fight instead of dealing with it before competing.

Jake Collier (12-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC) will stand across the cage from Sherman at UFC on ESPN 32 on Saturday, and the “Vanilla Gorilla” will be looking to focus on what is ahead of him while putting the previous calendar year behind him.

Check out the full media day interview with Sherman in the video above.