Frank Shamrock Announces His Retirement From MMA at Strikeforce: Fedor vs Werdum
by Nate Wilcox on Jun 26, 2010 11:12 PM EDT
in MMA History
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Former UFC champion Frank Shamrock announced his retirement at Strikeforce: Fedor vs Werdum.
After a brief highlight video that suffered for the lack of highlight footage from his UFC career, Shamrock came out and gave a brief speech, thanking Scott Coker, the promoter of Strikeforce.
But he pointedly didn't mention his brother Ken Shamrock by name although he did begin his speech by saying, "when I was 22 years old my brother gave me two things -- an ass whipping and he introduced me to mixed martial arts."
Shamrock's career peak took place in Japan and in the UFC when the event could barely get on PPV so fans today are sadly unfamiliar with his many career highlights. This isn't helped by the UFC's policy of not acknowledging Shamrock's career in any way shape or form. Sherdog wrote about the UFC's refusal to include any of Shamrock's bouts in the fan voting for best UFC fight of all time:
The UFC's first middleweight champ and arguably its biggest star in the late 90s, Shamrock never lost a fight in the Octagon. However, the UFC excluded all of his bouts from fan voting -- even his epic scrap against Tito Ortiz in September 1999 at UFC 24.
In short, Shamrock-Ortiz was one of the UFC's earliest title bouts that felt like a top championship boxing match, given the buildup and drama that made Shamrock's fourth-round TKO his finest -- and final -- performance in the Octagon. Giving up more than 20 pounds after the weigh-in, Shamrock calmly and tactically dissected Ortiz in what stands as a masterpiece of strategy, along with a heady dose of down-and-dirty know-how.
Sadly, the bout won't be featured on the UFC's countdown that has been airing on Spike TV.
"I thought it was a pivotal fight (in MMA)," Shamrock told Sherdog.com. "Physically and mentally, it was a pivotal fight in the history of the sport itself. It's obviously pretty ridiculous and childish they left it out. That's obvious. I was the first-ever champion, and Tito was the first guy in a weight class to work his way up. In my opinion, it was the first real legitimate build-up to a championship fight. It was a real story."
Shamrock was also a King of Pancrase, winning the legendary Japanese promotion's title earl on in his career.
NOTE TO COMMENTERS: This is not the place to discuss or disparage Shamrock's commentating.
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dammit
I was hoping he’d retire from commentating fights.
follow me twitter.com/GotaHemmi
by Brian Hemminger on Jun 26, 2010 11:15 PM EDT reply actions
I do wish...
that the UFC and people like Frank could come to terms so that he could be included in their Hall of Fame and his place in the sport more accurately represented.
Dude. It's Anderson Silva.
If he gives a damn he will end Sonnen’s night by either sub or KO.
-SSreporters
By Monday morning Chael Sonnen will be pissing out of his neck.
-Also SSreporters
At some point, we'll need an MMA HoF - Not UFC.
Guys like H. Yoshida or KID or Genki Sudo should be recognized, but they’re not UFC fighters (Sudo was once, but nothing notable)
If you're not watching Treme, you're a bad person.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Jun 26, 2010 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed...
but who would run and decide who is in and who isn’t?
I guess its a matter of time and maturation of the sport.
Dude. It's Anderson Silva.
If he gives a damn he will end Sonnen’s night by either sub or KO.
-SSreporters
By Monday morning Chael Sonnen will be pissing out of his neck.
-Also SSreporters
don't forget Bas
follow me twitter.com/GotaHemmi
by Brian Hemminger on Jun 26, 2010 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Saku for sure
one of the best
Who's the only one here who knows illegal ninja moves from the government?
Nate you should update this article and say that anyone who makes another stupid comment about his commentating is subjected to the banhammer.
He might not be the best but that’s not what this should be about.
by Geno Mrosko on Jun 26, 2010 11:20 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I agree with this.
"The best book on the real history of MMA that I've seen," Dave Meltzer
by Jonathan Snowden on Jun 26, 2010 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions
At this point, they should be warned/banned for using a tired joke.
If you're not watching Treme, you're a bad person.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Jun 26, 2010 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Boy that UFC sure is evil
Takin’ money away from Fedor and ruining Frank Shamrocks retirement. It’s almost like they haven’t done anything good for MMA at all. Booooooo.
Seriously though. Good for Frank. He had a great career and should probably be in the UFC hall, and definitely the MMA hall when it comes into existence.
I really dislike Frank...
…but it’s sad to see another legend retire. Dude takes way too much crap and people forget how good he was when he was in his prime. Sad to see him hang ’em up.
Thanks for the memories Frank
I would have liked to see him smash Ken one time, but my hat’s off to him, one of the very best, most versatile and exciting fighters of the 90’s.
GO SPURS GO!!!
Hats off to you, Frank
A true icon of the sport and, as several others have already stated, he truly was a pioneering fighter in his heyday.
And you know what else? I quite like his commentating :)
B-A-K-A-S-U-R-V-I-V-O-R
Sad about how UFC does things
Ok I get it, I am a fan of the UFC overall, they are basically against other promotions that can challenge their brand. Look at their history against shunning Pat Militech, sometimes the Gracies it seems (rite?), showing all of Tito’s losses, and not acknowledging Frank. But you have to look at the history of mainstream sports. You better believe that the NBA fiercly battled the ABA, NASCAR and the WWE virutally swallowed all of their smaller competitors. But those leagues didn’t try and re-write history rite? Maybe after the UFC becomes the undisupted and sole MMA brand, that they will finally acknowledge all of the true HOF fighters. I vote for Saku as well.
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![Frank Shamrock responds to Dana White via MMA Fighting:
"Wow and false, is all that I can say about Dana's comments that I am a two-faced liar and further, what a bully and terrible example of combat sports meets corporate America.
"We parted (after our recent meeting) with nothing more than a clear understanding of our different views and brands.
"Dana's recent comments on AOL are ridiculous and insulting and I am sad to see them associated with our sport. We will never be a true sport, or art for that matter, until we are free to speak our hearts and minds. I was being genuinely honest about my beliefs and dreams and did not attack, insult, curse or become angry with him in any way. And yet in return, I was attacked, ridiculed and bullied, and finally, my character questioned publically.
"My comments in reply to Mr. White's insulting tirade is that mixed martial arts breeds confidence, builds character and creates strong diverse communities whose foundation is honor, respect and discipline, and Dana White, I refuse to be bullied by you, and further, I respect a man who truthfully stands up and fights for his family with honor.
"Anytime you want to become a real man and not a bully, you let me know. I would [be] happy to oblige you with [a] personal introduction to Shamrock MMA."](http://cdn1.sbnation.com/fan_shot_images/154216/k0oyg2_small.jpg)
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