I Can't Believe They're Not Retired! 5 Surprisingly Active UFC Fighters

So you thought they rode into the sunset, did you? Well, how wrong you were, sir or madam. How very wrong.

These five UFC fighters are surprisingly not retired. I couldn't believe it. But it turns out they were hiding in plain sight, right on the UFC's active roster.

Quick note: This doesn't cover UFC veterans kicking around in other promotions. All five of these guys are actually on the UFC active roster right now. Go ahead, tough guy, check it out. But despite their active status, they have been on the shelf for a long time, for one reason or another. They are also old. Anyway, here you go. Prepare to be shocked!

Sean Sherk

Age: 39

Record: 38-4-1

Last fought: Sept. 25, 2010 

Sean Sherk might be the most famously surprisingly non-retired fighter in the UFC. 

You have to hand it to the former lightweight champ: He certainly doesn't appear to be giving up on a return.

Matt Serra

Age: 38

Record: 17-7

Last fought: Sept. 25, 2010 

The owner of arguably the biggest upset in UFC history (that 2007 win over Georges St-Pierre) has lost three of his last four and hasn't stepped in the cage in two-and-a-half years, when he dropped a decision to the now-retired Chris Lytle.

Not that he hasn't kept busy. Serra's now training guys like Chris Weidman and Costa Philippou as part of the Serra-Longo Fight Team. Nevertheless, it seems odd that he never formally hung up his spurs.

Mike Brown

Age: 37

Record: 26-8

Last fought: May 26, 2012

Following a win over Daniel Pineda last May, Brown signed a five-fight deal with the UFC. No one has heard from him since.

The former WEC featherweight champion would be a good addition to any undercard in my opinion. 

Shane Carwin

Age: 38

Record: 12-2

Last fought: June 11, 2011

Less than three years ago, Shane Carwin came within a whisker of defeating Brock Lesnar to become the UFC heavyweight champion. Doesn't that sound like it happened in another galaxy?

It sure does to me, especially following neck, back and knee surgeries that appear to have stalled the career of one of the sport's hardest hitters. 

Spencer Fisher

Age: 36

Record: 25-9

Last fought: June 22, 2012

Spencer Fisher actually has a fight coming up. But one can't be faulted for not remembering that blockbuster announcement. Most fans remember that Fisher retired from MMA after his last contest, a loss to Sam Stout. And that was only his third fight in two years.

Fisher has unretired and will fight Yves Edwards on July 27. Kind of an eyebrow-raising move for the former UFC Fight Night (remember those?) mainstay whose last professional win came over Curt Warburton.