Sean Sherk Wants 'No Chumps' in 2012 Return Bout

Sean Sherk is set to make his UFC return later this year, but he isn't looking to fight any chumps.

The former UFC lightweight champion hopes to jump right back into the mix of contenders seeking a world title shot. After months of silence regarding his fighting career, Sherk recently took to Twitter to officially announce his UFC return:

"I will be coming back before the years end but I need a good fight not some chump who needs some fame!"

Sherk hasn't competed since his controversial split decision victory over Evan Dunham in September 2010. After the win, he went on an extended hiatus to rehab several injuries.

At 38 years of age, Sherk can still make some noise in the lightweight division if he's able to return to form. He's a formidable striker and one of the best wrestlers in the world at 155-pounds.

Unfortunately, some will knock Sherk for his performance against Dunham, but people tend to forget that Dunham was on his way up the contender's ladder before being knocked off by "The Muscle Shark."

With that said, the lightweight division has seen a major growth in talent in the past couple of years. There are hardly any "chumps" at 155 pounds competing in the UFC.

An interesting return bout for Sherk would be against former title contender Gray Maynard. Since losing to Frankie Edgar at UFC 136, Maynard has been relatively quiet, and the UFC has yet to announce any future opponents.

Like Maynard, Sherk's last professional loss came at the hands of Edgar in May 2009.