Sean Sherk aka The Muscle Shark

D.O.B.: 08/05/1973
Weight: 155LB/70KG
Height: 5’6”
Fighting style: Wrestling
MMA Record: 32 - 2 - 1
Fighting out of: Anoka, Minnesota

Sean Sherk is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He has fought in both the UFC and PRIDE, drawing comparisons in style and body-type to American wrestler and former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes, whom Sherk had once lost to after a five-round championship bout. Sherk became the UFC Lightweight Champion on October 14, 2006 at UFC 64. He is only the second UFC Lightweight Champion to date, and is the only champion since the division's reinstatement in 2006.

Sean began his mixed martial arts career in 1999 at the Dangerzone MMA Event in Bonville, Minnesota. He continued to win fights, including two notable victories over rising Judo star Karo Parisyan, and was picked up by the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2001, where he defeated Tiki Ghosn by submission. He was chosen to fight Matt Hughes for the UFC Welterweight Championship in 2003 after Sherk won his first 17 fights. He lost his title bid in a five-round fight where Sherk won two rounds, becoming only the second person ever to go five rounds with the champion, Hughes.

After the birth of his child, Sherk retired from MMA. It was not until his coach suggested that he start teaching classes and speaking with his old manager, Monte Cox, Sherk began training for a return to professional mixed martial arts circuit. He defeated Joel Blanton, and then was invited back to the UFC for a fight with welterweight contender, Georges St. Pierre. Sherk lost by TKO due to strikes, but was given another fight in the UFC at UFC 59, where Sherk defeated Nick Diaz by unanimous decision, earning his first victory in the organization since 2002. During the post-fight interview, Sherk stated his intention to drop down in weight to the lightweight division. Six months later, Sherk won the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 64, defeating Kenny Florian by unanimous decision, and becoming the second champion in the UFC's lightweight division since Jens Pulver vacated the title in 2002. However, before the title bout Sherk tore his rotator cuff and had to take a break to rehabilitate.