Sean Sherk
Sean Sherk | |
---|---|
Born | Sean Keith Sherk August 5, 1973 St. Francis, Minnesota, United States |
Other names | The Muscle Shark |
Nationality | American |
Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st) |
Division | Lightweight (2006–2010) Welterweight (1999–2006) |
Reach | 67 in (170 cm)[1][2] |
Style | Submission Wrestling |
Stance | Orthodox |
Fighting out of | Oak Grove, Minnesota, United States |
Team | Minnesota Martial Arts Academy |
Trainer | Greg Nelson |
Years active | 1999–2010 |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 41 |
Wins | 36 |
By knockout | 10 |
By submission | 11 |
By decision | 15 |
Losses | 4 |
By knockout | 2 |
By decision | 2 |
Draws | 1 |
Amateur record | |
Total | 2 |
Wins | 2 |
Losses | 0 |
Other information | |
Spouse | Heather Sherk |
Children | 2 |
Website | http://seansherk.com/ |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Sean Keith Sherk (born August 5, 1973) is a retired American
Recognized for his role in the resurgence of the UFC Lightweight division, Sherk became the first
Martial arts background
Sherk was born on August 5, 1973, in
Mixed martial arts career
Sherk began his
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2001–2003)
Sherk made his UFC debut at UFC 30, where he defeated Tiki Ghosn.[12] After going 5–0–1 outside the UFC, he was brought back to fight Jutaro Nakao at UFC 36, a fight which Sherk won via unanimous decision.[12] On September 27, 2002, at UFC 39, Sherk defeated Benji Radach when the fight was stopped due to a cut Radach had received.[12]
Sherk was then chosen to fight Matt Hughes for the UFC Welterweight Championship on April 25, 2003. Sherk lost the fight via unanimous decision after going five five-minute rounds.[12] In a back and forth battle, Sherk won two of the overall five rounds, becoming the first and only fighter to ever fight a full five round fight with then-champion Matt Hughes.[13]
Pride (2004)
Following his loss to Hughes, Sherk fought three more times in 2003, winning all three bouts.
According to Sherk's website, the Japanese fans are the ones responsible for giving him the nickname "The Muscle Shark." While he was popular in Japan, Sherk found it difficult to travel and support his family and found he could make a better living fighting as a main event on local shows. He also cited his lack of health insurance for making this decision.[citation needed]
Return to the UFC (2005–2010)
Sherk was invited back to the UFC in 2005 for a fight with Georges St. Pierre. Sherk lost by TKO,[14] but was given another fight in the UFC at UFC 59, Sherk demonstrated that he was able to stand and strike with the more documented striker in Nick Diaz as well as mixing his combination very well with his takedowns, he defeated Nick Diaz via unanimous decision.[15] During the post-fight interview, Sherk stated his intention to drop down in weight to the lightweight division.[15]
In October 2006, at UFC 64, Sherk won all five rounds using his superior wrestling and ground and pound and defeated Kenny Florian via unanimous decision to win the UFC Lightweight Championship.[16] With this win, Sherk became the first UFC Lightweight Champion since Jens Pulver vacated the title in 2002.[16] Sherk fought the bout with a torn rotator cuff and was forced to rehabilitate afterwards.[17]
Steroid accusations
In July 2007, Sherk successfully defended his title against
After UFC 84
Sherk fought Tyson Griffin at UFC 90: Silva vs Cote, in a fight with title contention implications. In a three-round war, Sherk won by unanimous decision, earning him Fight of the Night. In the first round Sherk was putting the pressure on Griffin from the very beginning scoring take-downs and taking Griffins back. Throughout the second and third rounds Sherk took Griffin down once more and the rest remained an exciting striking battle between the two. Sherk demonstrated very crisp and technical striking that night.
Sherk next fought Frankie Edgar at UFC 98 losing via unanimous decision. Sherk again found himself in trouble with an athletic commission post fight, after he ran from the arena while still in his fight shorts and no shirt before supplying a post fight urinalysis. He was contacted by commission officer Keith Kizer and told to return to the arena immediately or face his license being revoked. Sherk returned within the hour and provided a urinalysis and tested clean, but was still suspended 45 days for the actions.[25]
Injury plague hits
Sherk was scheduled to face Gleison Tibau at UFC 104, but was forced off the card with an injury. He was replaced by Josh Neer.[26]
Sherk was scheduled to face Rafaello Oliveira on January 2, 2010 at UFC 108.[27] However, due to an injury to Tyson Griffin, Sherk was promoted to the main card to fight Jim Miller.[28] Sherk did not compete at UFC 108, pulling out due to injury. Sherk suffered a cut above his right eye requiring several stitches.
Sherk was expected to face
Return to the Octagon and Retirement
After a 16-month hiatus, Sherk returned on September 25, 2010 at UFC 119 and defeated Evan Dunham via split decision in a bout that earned Fight of the Night honors.[31]
Sherk was planning a fall 2011 return after rehabbing past injuries, but no fights for him came to fruition.[citation needed]
After rehabbing a litany of injuries over the past few years, Sherk indicated in October 2012 that he was still planning a return to the UFC and hoped to return sometime in early 2013.[32]
On September 2, 2013, Sherk formally announced his retirement from MMA fighting.[33]
On February 20, 2016, Sherk verbally expressed that he would end his retirement to fight Royce Gracie in Bellator. He declined any indication of a UFC return.[34]
Personal life
Sherk and his wife Heather have two sons, Kyler and Tegan.[9] Sherk has coached a team of fighters at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy.[35] He has also worked flipping houses in the Minnesota area.[36]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- UFC Lightweight Championship(One time)
- One successful title defense
- Fight of the Night (Three times) vs. Kenny Florian, Tyson Griffin, and Evan Dunham
- PRIDE Fighting Championship
- One of only two PRIDE FC
- One of only two
Mixed martial arts record
41 matches | 36 wins | 4 losses |
By knockout | 10 | 2 |
By submission | 11 | 0 |
By decision | 15 | 2 |
Draws | 1 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 36–4–1 | Evan Dunham | Decision (split) | UFC 119 | September 25, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Indianapolis, Indiana , United States
|
Fight of the Night. |
Loss | 35–4–1 | Frankie Edgar | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 98 | May 23, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
|
|
Win | 35–3–1 | Tyson Griffin | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 90 | October 25, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Rosemont, Illinois, United States | Fight of the Night. |
Loss | 34–3–1 | B.J. Penn | TKO (knee and punches) | UFC 84 | May 24, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
|
For the UFC Lightweight Championship .
|
Win | 34–2–1 | Hermes França | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 73 | July 7, 2007 | 5 | 5:00 | Sacramento, California, United States | Defended the UFC Lightweight Championship. Stripped of title after failing post-fight drug test for nandrolone .
|
Win | 33–2–1 | Kenny Florian | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 64 | October 14, 2006 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
|
Lightweight debut. Won the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship ; Fight of the Night.
|
Win | 32–2–1 | Nick Diaz | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 59 | April 15, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
Loss | 31–2–1 | Georges St-Pierre | TKO (punches and elbows) | UFC 56 | November 19, 2005 | 2 | 2:53 | Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
|
|
Win | 31–1–1 | Joel Blanton | Submission (rear-naked choke) | BP: Pride and Glory | September 17, 2005 | 1 | 2:02 | Georgia, United States | |
Win | 30–1–1 | Lee King | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Extreme Challenge 60 | November 12, 2004 | 1 | 2:20 | Medina, Minnesota, United States | |
Win | 29–1–1 | Brodie Farber | Submission (guillotine choke) | SF 6: Battleground in Reno | September 23, 2004 | 1 | 0:55 | Reno, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 28–1–1 | Darin Brudigan | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Cage Fighting Xtreme 2 | September 4, 2004 | 1 | 1:30 | Brainerd, Minnesota, United States | |
Win | 27–1–1 | Gerald Strebendt | TKO (punches) | Extreme Challenge 58 | June 11, 2004 | 1 | 3:52 | Medina, Minnesota, United States | |
Win | 26–1–1 | Eric Heinz | Submission (neck crank) | Pride and Fury | June 3, 2004 | 1 | 0:58 | Worley, Idaho, United States | |
Win | 25–1–1 | Jake Short | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ICC: Trials 2 | April 30, 2004 | 1 | 2:51 | Minnesota, United States | |
Win | 24–1–1 | Kaleo Padilla | Submission (neck crank) | You Think You're Tough | April 17, 2004 | 2 | 1:17 | Kona, Hawaii , United States
|
|
Win | 23–1–1 | Ryuki Ueyama | Decision (unanimous) | Pride Bushido 2
|
February 15, 2004 | 2 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | |
Win | 22–1–1 | Charles Diaz | Submission (keylock) | EP: XXXtreme Impact | December 28, 2003 | 2 | 0:58 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
Win | 21–1–1 | Mark Long | TKO (submission to punches) | Extreme Combat | December 12, 2003 | 1 | 0:42 | Fridley, Minnesota, United States | |
Win | 20–1–1 | John Alexander | TKO (punches) | Extreme Combat | August 2, 2003 | 1 | 1:57 | Anoka, Minnesota, United States | |
Loss | 19–1–1 | Matt Hughes | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 42 | April 25, 2003 | 5 | 5:00 | Miami, Florida , United States
|
For the UFC Welterweight Championship .
|
Win | 19–0–1 | John Alexander | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Extreme Combat 2 | December 7, 2002 | 1 | 1:28 | Minneapolis, Minnesota , United States
|
|
Win | 18–0–1 | Benji Radach | TKO (doctor stoppage) | UFC 39 | September 27, 2002 | 1 | 4:16 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
Win | 17–0–1 | Jutaro Nakao | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 36 | March 22, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
|
|
Win | 16–0–1 | Claudionor Fontinelle | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UCC 6: Redemption | October 19, 2001 | 2 | 1:04 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
Draw | 15–0–1 | Kiuma Kunioku | Draw | Pancrase - 2001 Neo-Blood Tournament Second Round | July 29, 2001 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
Win | 15–0 | Curtis Brigham | TKO (corner stoppage) | UW: St. Paul | July 15, 2001 | 3 | 1:15 | St. Paul, Minnesota , United States
|
|
Win | 14–0 | Jason Purcell | TKO (punches) | UW: Ultimate Fight Minnesota | June 2, 2001 | 1 | 1:42 | Bloomington, Minnesota, United States | |
Win | 13–0 | Marty Armendarez | TKO (punches) | KOTC 8 - Bombs Away | April 29, 2001 | 3 | 2:07 | Williams, California, United States | |
Win | 12–0 | Manny Gamburyan | Decision (unanimous) | Reality Submission Fighting 3 | March 30, 2001 | 1 | 18:00 | Belleville, Illinois, United States | |
Win | 11–0 | Tiki Ghosn | TKO (shoulder injury) | UFC 30 | February 23, 2001 | 2 | 4:47 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Ghosn suffered a dislocated shoulder. |
Win | 10–0 | Karo Parisyan | TKO (corner stoppage) | Reality Submission Fighting 2 | January 5, 2001 | 1 | 16:20 | Belleville, Illinois, United States | |
Win | 9–0 | Ken Parham | Decision (unanimous) | Submission Fighting Championships | November 3, 2000 | 2 | 5:00 | Collinsville, Illinois, United States | |
Win | 8–0 | Karo Parisyan | Decision (unanimous) | Reality Submission Fighting 1 | October 10, 2000 | 1 | 18:00 | Belleville, Illinois, United States | |
Win | 7–0 | Steve Gomm | Decision (split) | Extreme Challenge 28 | October 9, 1999 | 1 | 10:00 | Ogden, Utah, United States | |
Win | 6–0 | Scott Bills | Decision (unanimous) | Extreme Challenge 28 | October 9, 1999 | 1 | 10:00 | Ogden, Utah, United States | |
Win | 5–0 | Kurtis Jensen | TKO (punches) | Extreme Challenge: Trials | October 4, 1999 | 1 | 1:00 | Mason City, Iowa, United States | |
Win | 4–0 | Johnnie Holland | Submission (keylock) | Ultimate Wrestling | August 13, 1999 | 2 | 2:10 | Bloomington, Minnesota, United States | |
Win | 3–0 | Joe Paun | Decision (unanimous) | Midwest MMA Championship 1 | July 11, 1999 | 1 | 15:00 | Clinton, Iowa, United States | |
Win | 2–0 | Dean Kugler | Decision (unanimous) | Midwest MMA Championship 1 | July 11, 1999 | 1 | 10:00 | Clinton, Iowa, United States | |
Win | 1–0 | Roscoe Ostyn | Decision (unanimous) | Dangerzone: Mahnomen | June 19, 1999 | 3 | 3:00 | Mahnomen, Minnesota, United States |
References
- ^ "Sean Sherk - lightweight - Mixed Martial Arts Fighter - FIGHT! Magazine". Archived from the original on 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
- ^ "Sean Sherk vs. Tyson Griffin UFC 90 Video - Fights MMA Video Details". Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2010-12-09.
- ^ "Former champion Sean Sherk retires". ESPN.
- ^ Al-Shatti, Shaun. "Former UFC lightweight champ Sean Sherk announces retirement from MMA". MMA Fighting.
- ^ Rella, Slex. "The UFC's Top Ten Lightweight Title Fight". 411mania.
- ^ McElroy, Jordy. "The 10 Best MMA Fighters of All Time, by Division". BleacherReport.
- ^ Smith, Sean. "MMA's Greatest Lightweights in History: Does BJ Penn Top the List?". BleacherReport.
- ^ Fox, Jeff. "FIVE BEST LIGHTWEIGHTS IN MMA HISTORY". MMA-Manifesto.
- ^ a b c d "Sean Sherk bio". SheanSherk.com. 13 June 2006. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
- ^ Peterson, Fredrick (May 14, 2008). "Sean Sherk profile". 411mania.com. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
- ^ "Sean Sherk fighter profile". Minnesota Martial Arts Academy. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "MMA record for Sean "The Muscle Shark" Sherk". Sherdog. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
- Las Vegas, Nevada: Ultimate Fighting Championship. 2003.
- Las Vegas, Nevada: Ultimate Fighting Championship. 2006.
- ^ Las Vegas, Nevada: Ultimate Fighting Championship. 2006.
- ^ Las Vegas, Nevada: Ultimate Fighting Championship. 2007.
- ^ "Kevin Randleman at a crossroads". MMAWeekly.com. February 18, 2007. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
- Las Vegas, Nevada: Ultimate Fighting Championship. 2007.
- ^ Gross, Jeff (July 19, 2007). "UFC 155 lb (70 kg). Champion, Challenger Positive for Steroids". Sherdog. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
- ^ "UFC Champ, Sean Sherk's Suspension Reduced". MMA Weekly. December 4, 2007. Archived from the original on June 18, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
- ^ a b Zeidler, Ben (December 20, 2007). "One-on-one with Sean Sherk". MMA Madness. Archived from the original on April 30, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
- ^ "Sherk Stripped of UFC Belt". Sherdog. December 9, 2007. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
- Las Vegas, Nevada: Ultimate Fighting Championship. 2008.
- ^ Wilkins, Matt (January 20, 2008). "Dana White Confirms Penn vs. Sherk and More". MMA Weekly. Archived from the original on January 22, 2008. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
- ^ "Blog: Greg Jackson Talks Yoshida".
- ^ Savage, Greg. "Neer Replaces Sherk at UFC 104". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
- ^ "UFC 108: Sean Sherk vs Rafael Oliveira on tap for Jan. 2". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
- ^ "Sean Sherk promoted to "UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva" main card, faces Jim Miller". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
- ^ "Source: Sherk vs. Guida in works for March UFC Fight Night card in Denver". nwi.com/mma. Retrieved 2010-01-09.
- ^ "Sherk scratched; Gugerty to face Guida at UFC on Versus 1 in March". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2010-01-18. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
- ^ "Despite close win, UFC 119's Sean Sherk sees future title for Evan Dunham | MMAjunkie.com". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2010-09-28.
- ^ "Sean Sherk Will Return to the UFC: "I'm Not Ready to Walk Away"". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
- ^ Shaun Al-Shatti (September 2, 2013). "Former UFC lightweight champ Sean Sherk announces retirement from MMA". mmafighting.com.
- ^ Tristen Critchfield (February 28, 2016). "Sean Sherk Would End Retirement to Fight Gracie in Bellator, Not Interested in UFC Return". sherdog.com.
- ^ "Minnesota Martial Arts Academy Staff". Archived from the original on 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
- ^ "The Muscle Shark Lives On: Catching Up With UFC Vet Sean Sherk". February 2016.