(Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
A vicious flying knee at the end of third round of his title fight against B.J. Penn at UFC 84 caught Sean Sherk flush and as a result he was unable to answer the call for the fourth round.
It was a heartbreaking and disappointing loss for Sherk.
It would also be his first loss at 155 pounds in his career.
In the aftermath, he was immediately thrown back into the muddled UFC lightweight heap.
It took roughly five months for Sherk to regroup, refocus, and to prove to his critics he was still going to be a huge threat even at the age of 35.
In October 2008, he responded in the face of adversity with an impressive victory over up-and-coming Xtreme Couture product Tyson Griffin at UFC 90.
It was a giant leap forward for Sherk in his quest to once again wear the UFC lightweight belt before he hangs up his gloves, which will likely happen sooner rather than later.
Enter step number two in his quest to once again find the apex in the form of highly regarded lightweight Frankie Edgar.
On the verge of their much anticipated battle at UFC 98 on May 23, Sherk took some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions.
Continue reading the transcript to find out how training camp is going, which young UFC lightweight he thinks will be champion one day, the WAMMA champion who’s overrated, preferences on future fights, and what he thinks about having a figurine bearing his likeness.
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Derek Bolender:
It’s great to run you down and I appreciate the time. I want to start off by asking you about the Sean Sherk figurine.
After all, it’s not everyday someone gets to have a miniature replica of themselves made.
You partnered with a company called Round Five (Round5MMA.com) to make this happen. How did that come to fruition and what do you think of the final product?
Sean Sherk:
That came about, basically I met Damon Lau (President and co-founder of Round Five) out in Canada. He was doing an appearance out there.
He brought the idea to me, which of course, I was pretty excited about the opportunity. I jumped on board with those guys. It was a real long process. I believe it took anywhere from nine months to a year before the finished product came out.
I was able to give a lot of my input throughout the whole process, which is pretty cool too, because it makes it more personal for me because of that reason. Yeah, it’s been great. I see those action figures everywhere I go.
I mean I do a lot of appearances throughout the year and there’s always people coming up to me wanting me to sign them, stuff like that, so I know people are out there buying them which is great.
It’s an honor for me to be apart of this company and to have this action figure made of myself.
Derek Bolender:
I thought the attention to deal was pretty incredible. I mean it’s got even your tattoos and your web site on your shorts and everything.
Sean Sherk:
Yeah, we tried to make it as personal as possible. Obviously, we want it to be as realistic as possible, so people kind of identify with you.
I put my web site on there, put my sponsors on there, my quotes, the box. Even all the way down to the pose. I got to pick the pose that I wanted my action figure to have.
Like I said before, it’s been an honor.
Derek Bolender:
I’d like to get some of your thoughts on this past weekend’s action in Montreal (UFC 97).
As you’ve probably heard, Chuck Liddell had another disappointment.
He’s now lost four of his last five fights and is debating retirement at the age of 39.
How are you, at the age of 35, able to keep your skills at such a high level and what do you attribute that to?
Sean Sherk:
I guess the big thing for me is that I’m still a student of the sport. I spend a lot of time working technique. I’ve got jiu-jitsu coaches, wrestling coaches, boxing coaches.
I’ve got some of the best training partners in the world. I fly guys out to train with me before I fight. Even during my down time, I’m always working on footwork, speed bag, heavy bag, double leg bag, drilling, technique, keeping my body mobile and agile.
I do a lot of plyometric stuff to keep my quick twitch.
I’m doing everything I possibly can to fight that age thing and so far I’ve been successful.
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