411mania Exclusive Interview: Sean Sherk
Posted by Dustin James on 11.28.2008
The former UFC Lightweight Champion sits down with 411's Dustin James to discuss his return to the Octagon, his toughest opponents in MMA, his Round 5 MMA action figure, and lots more! Plus, how YOU can win your own Sean Sherk Round 5 figure! All that and more inside!
He's a former UFC lightweight champion who is once again looking to make it to the top of the UFC's lightweight division. He is currently 33-3-1 in his MMA career with his only losses coming at the hands of Georges St. Pierre, Matt Hughes, and BJ Penn. He is coming off a huge win over Tyson Griffin at UFC 90 in October. His name is Sean "The Muscle Shark" Sherk and he took time out of his day recently to chat with 411mania.com's own Dustin James.......
411mania: How did you decide to get involved with Round 5?
Sean Sherk: I met Damon Lau when I was doing an appearance in Canada. When he said that he wanted to do an action figure, I was all over it. That was probably a year ago; we've been going through the process since then. It's been a long process but it's been a lot of fun and it's great to see the finished product out there.
411mania: How did you decide which sponsors to add to your figure?
Sherk: I sent out proposals to different sponsors, added to my fighting sponsorships. I gave them the option to be 'fight-only' sponsors or to also appear on things like the Round 5 figurines, video games, etc. Some of the ones that signed on are Island Supplements, MMA Overload, Minnesota Martial Arts Academy. I'm working on a reality show as well, and you can be sure we'll be showing off the figurines a lot when that gets done!
411mania: Which fighters figure resembles them the most? To the point where it's almost scary!
Sherk: I haven't seen the others besides mine in Series 2, since they just came out. I did see the Series 1 -- they were all realistic looking, which made me confident that we'd be able to put a good one together. The details like Rampage's chain and the unique poses for each one really makes a difference -- you can tell a lot went into designing them.
411mania.com: The Round 5 Series 2 action figures would be a perfect Christmas gift for any MMA fan. Tell us why the fans who read this should put your figure under the Christmas tree rather than Rich Franklin, Anderson Silva, or Wanderlei Silva!
Sherk: I agree! I think my figure would be a great present because it's kind of a cool thing for fans to have. But I don't think people should just get mine -- they should get all of them. It's a set -- four guys, four phenomenal fighters, great to collect them all.
411mania: When are we going to be seeing you in the Octagon again?
Sherk: I'm hoping in April. I don't have one on the schedule officially yet, but tentatively I'm looking at fighting again in April.
411mania: Rumor is that you wanted to face the winner of Kenny Florian vs. Joe Stevenson at UFC 91. Now that we know Florian won that fight in very impressive fashion....is a Sherk/Florian rematch something we may see in the future?
Sherk: That's up to the UFC. I wanted the winner because that's the fight that makes sense -- those are the guys whose resumes look like mine. I've been around awhile, I've fought the best of the best for many years. It's about making steps forward, and a fight with Kenny would be step forward, even though I beat him before and I think I would beat him again.
411mania: Who would you consider your toughest opponent to date?
Sherk: I would say the toughest guys are Matt Hughes, Georges St. Pierre, B.J. Penn, and the reason I mention those guys is that I was beaten by them. But guys like Benji Radach, he's real tough and has really come back strong, Nick Diaz, he was tough as nails. I've got some wins over top competition -- like Tyson Griffin. I've fought some tough competition all along - Karo Parisyan twice. I can't narrow it down to just one guy, I've been in the industry so long.
411mania: Who is the one person in MMA you would like to face before you retire?
Sherk: One guy is [Takanori] Gomi. I've been saying it for years. He's been one of the top-ranked guys for years and someone I'd like to fight. But he's in Japan and I'm in the U.S. I have no interest in going to Japan, and I don't think he has any interest in fighting here, so I doubt that one will happen.
411mania: Thank you very much Mr. Sherk for your time and we here at 411mania.com would love to wish you a happy holidays and we can't wait to see you back in the Octagon in 2009!
Sherk: Thank you!
If you would like to win a Sean Sherk Round 5 MMA collectible action figure then now is your chance! All you have to do is email me.....seriously.......that is ALL YOU HAVE TO DO! I will then select a name and the winner will receive their very own Sean Sherk Round 5 figure! It's a perfect holiday gift and I can tell you right now, these things are a GREAT gift for any MMA fan. So hop on it!
