UFC Predictions: Where Does Sean Sherk Stand Now?

Sean Sherk most recently won his latest fight at UFC 119 with a very close split decision victory over lightweight up-and-comer Evan Dunham. In an exciting fight of the night bout, The Muscle Shark showed glimpses of his old self as he went back to his wrestling roots. The fight saw Sherk Mixing up his strikes with take downs very well and showing unparalleled submission defence. Although Sherk was awarded the victory, most of the fans seemed to lean towards Evan Dunham for the decision.

In the first round Sherk utilized his wrestling to land two beautiful patented take down/slams, the first met by Dunham’s guillotine choke. After Dunham had locked in what seemed to be a serious choke later in the round then took The Muscle Shark’s back only to wind on his back again and to receive a big cut over his right eye. The doctor checked it ok and the fighters proceeded with only 0:08 seconds in the round.10-9 Sherk.

The second round bit of the same as Sherk kept pushing for take-downs met by Dunham’s Sub attempts, Sherk utilizing a crisp striking mixed with take downs opening a second cut above Dunham’s left eye. With only a minute remaining in the round Dunham had utilized effective striking to tag the muscle shark a few times. 10-9 Sherk

In the third Dunham had utilised his striking again from the start and getting the better of the exchanges and rocking Sherk with a big head kick. Sherk scored a takedown but was not able to do much with it. Towards the end of the fight both fighters were exchanging and the crowd felt for it. 10-9 Dunham.

I Personally scored it 29-28 for Sherk but let’s be honest the first was definitely Sherk’s, the third was locked in for Dunham but the second was up for grabs so it could have gone either way. Looking at the fact that Sherk came off a 16 month lay-off, he put on an impressive performance

Now to the more important point, where does the Muscle Shark Stand in the rankings? Also who should he face next? In his fight Sherk demonstrated that he is back to his roots and is mixing things up which is what insured his spot amongst the Elite of the lightweight bracket, with this Fight of the Night victory over a tough competitor like Dunham it can be said that Sherk stands once again as a big threat to any top 10 fighters in the lightweight division. For future opponents for the muscle shark…

The winner of Guida/Gomi would definitely be another potential fight of the night, and shoot either fighter closer to a title shot.

A match up with Joe “Daddy” Stevenson would be intriguing as well as both fighters are coming of Fight of the Night bouts and are looking to get back into the lightweight title picture.

The winner of Lauzon /Sotiropoulos as both these guys are young and hungry a win over Sherk would definitely boost either of them for a title shot but also a win over another young contender would solidify Sherk’s place amongst the top 10 lightweight fighters.

-Mike J Yong