Words almost fail:

The commission announced Shamrock’s suspension and $2,500 fine on Wednesday for testing positive for 19-Norandrosterone, 19- Noretiocholanolone and Stanozolol following his first-round victory over Ross Clifton.

Shamrock is slated to fight ex-World Wrestling Entertainment star Bobby Lashley in the co-main event of a March 21 MMA/boxing card in Pensacola, Fla. That fight is almost certainly now not going to happen as a result of Shamrock’s suspension. States are required to honor each other’s suspensions, which means that Florida would not allow Shamrock to fight while under suspension in Calfornia.

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Shamrock’s suspension runs through Feb. 1, 2010, at which point he would be 10 days shy of his 46th birthday and would not have fought in almost a year.

Shamrock does have the right to appeal, but that in and of itself will be a lengthy process.

I have the distinct feeling Shamrock is going to formalize some sort of protest about this. And, of course, aside from what the CSAC is presenting to us (which should give all of us pause), I do not have any evidence on hand Shamrock used.

What is abundantly clear is that what's happening in Shamrock's career is no longer punchline worthy. Aside from the farrago of humiliating moments that's half-lifed whatever polish his name has had, we now have what appears to be evidence that at an age where fighter safety concerns are at their peak Shamrock was potentially jeopardizing his health and breaking the law. The steroid issue is blown grossly out of proportion, but something also tells me if Shamrock is using he is likely doing so without any responsible risk management. What reason can you have for confidence?

And that's the crux of the issue: we are surpassing territory from the comically tragic into the just purely tragic.

UPDATE: Like clockwork:

Shamrock‘s manager and attorney Rod Donohoo said the fighter has adamantly denied the allegations and will appeal the suspension.

“Ken was taking legal over-the-counter products, and based upon our preliminary research, I’m investigating if those products were the result of these findings,” Donohoo told Sherdog.com on Wednesday.

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Donohoo told Sherdog.com that he will request an expedited appeal.

“Ken is willing to submit to immediate testing in Sacramento to prove his innocence,” said Donohoo.