Former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk has been inactive since 2010 due to constant injuries, but is hoping to come back and make it into the UFC Hall Of Fame.
“I wanted to fight [in 2011],” Sherk recently stated. “But I had the same issues that held me out of the octagon for 18 months. It’s just injuries. It’s injuries piling up.” He continues, “I fought too many times in the last five or six years with serious injuries. I don’t feel the need at this point to fight injured. When you’re fighting and not 100 percent, it’s not a fun thing. It’s not something fun to go through. It’s not fun going through training camp when you need surgery.”
Being 38 years old his career is nearing the end. He still trains hard, but he also has to worry about staying healthy so he can reach his ultimate goal.
“The guys are getting younger, and the guys are getting faster, and they’re getting tougher, more explosive,” said Sherk. “Their coaches are getting better. The sport isn’t what it was five or 10 years ago. It’s 100 percent changed. If I want to stay on top of the heap, I’ve got to stay on top of everything – staying healthy in training, my diet, my conditioning.”
“I want to fight again,” he said. “I’m a fighter. At this point in time, do I plan on fighting five or six more times? Probably not, to be honest with you. That’s why I want big fights. I want co-main-event or main-event type fights that are going to cement my place in the UFC Hall of Fame. Absolutely, I think at this point in time, I’ve done enough to be a hall of famer, but I’d like a few more fights to make my mark.”
Even though he has been out for so long he still has strong credentials.
“I fought for the world title in two different weight classes,” he said. “I was No. 1 or No. 2 in two different weight classes in the world. I won a world title. I defended a world title. I think I’ve done enough to cement my place in the UFC Hall of Fame,” he continued. “Most guys in the Hall of Fame right now didn’t accomplish what I’ve accomplished. So I feel like I deserve that.”
