The sport of mixed martial arts saw one of its all-time greats hang up their gloves on Monday when Sean “The Muscle Shark” Sherk retired. The former UFC lightweight champion finished his professional MMA career with a 36-4-1 record and will go down as a fighter that took part in many big name fights with some of the best fighters in the sport. What are some of the greatest fights in Sherk’s career that he will be remembered for?
UFC 42 vs. Matt Hughes for UFC Welterweight Championship
Sherk didn’t spend his entire career in the lightweight division. For a while, he was one of the best fighters in the welterweight division. In April 2003, the Ultimate Fighting Championship called Sherk to come back to the promotion to fight Hughes for the title. At this time, Hughes had already defended the title three times and was in the middle of his run at being the greatest welterweight of all time. These two men went to war for 25 minutes, but it was Hughes that would walk away the winner.
UFC 56 vs. Georges St-Pierre
Sherk would not see the UFC Octagon again for 12 fights after the Hughes loss until getting a return fight against a fighter that was just beginning his climb to the top of the UFC welterweight division. Unlike the Hughes fight, Sherk couldn’t last the entire fight, losing via TKO in the second round.
UFC 64 vs. Kenny Florian for Vacant UFC Lightweight Championship
One win after the GSP loss, Sherk got a chance to compete for the vacant UFC lightweight championship. Florian went the distance with Sherk, but never stood a chance of getting the decision from the judges. Sherk got the unanimous decision ruling and left with the world title for the first time in his career.
