Sean Sherk

Guide Note: Sean "The Muscle Shark" Sherk was born on August 5, 1973 in the small city of St. Francis, Minnesota, population of 4,910. Sherk began wrestling at the young age of seven only to find he needed more competitiveness. Sherk enrolled in Minnesota Martial Arts Academy founded by Greg Nelson. Nelson began training Sherk in Muay Thai, Boxing, and Shooto. Come 1999, Sherk's MMA career began at the Dangerzone MMA Event in Bonville, Minnesota. Sherk had a winning streak of 12 fights before he was picked up by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2001. Sherk made his UFC debut on February 23, 2001 at UFC 30 where he dislocated his opponents shoulder and won by verbal submission. On April 25, 2003, Sherk was selected by the UFC to fight against Matt Hughes for the UFC Welterweight Championship. The fight went five rounds marking Sherk the first to go a full five rounds with champion Hughes but he lost three of the five rounds leaving Hughes the victory. Sherk finished out 2003 winning three more fights before signing with PRIDE in 2004. While in Japan fighting for PRIDE, Sherk picked up his nickname "The Muscle Shark". Sherk then took a break from MMA after his first child because he could not pick up enough fights to support the family. Sherk took a job with a flooring company until his suggested he start teaching classes. Before he knew it, Sherk returned to MMA and started training after The Ultimate Fighter gained in population leading him up to 2006 when he fought The Ultimate Fighter finalist Kenny Florian defeating him by unanimous decision even though Sherk suffered a torn rotator cuff. On July 7, 2007, Sherk defended his lightweight championship title against Hermes Franca only to have that title stripped when it was announced on July 19, 2007, that Sherk tested positive for steroids. Sherk was also fined $2,500. To this day Sherk denies the knowing use of steroids. Sherk did pass a lie detector test according to UFC's president Dana White. Several studies show that banned substances are found in a quarter of over the counter supplements which would support Sherk's statment of not knowingly taking steroids. Sherk also claims the lab may have contaminated the vials. Sherk will fight again on May 24, 2008 against B.J. Penn.

Fast Facts:

1. Full Name: Sean Keith Sherk
2. Nickname: "The Muscle Shark"
3. Born: August 5, 1973
4. Nationality: American
5. Height: 5' 6"
6. Weight: 155 lbs.
7. Team/Association: Minnesota Martial Arts Academy
8. Fighting Styles: Wrestling, Muay Thai, Combat Submission Wrestling
9. Married with two sons
10. Loves: Pit Bull Terriers
11. Favorite TV Shows: Friends and Entourage