Sean Sherk Accurately Sums Up UFC Lightweight Division Title Scenario: "It Just Kind of Sucks"
(Kenny Florian makes the mistake of asking Sherk to help him move.)
Regardless of what you think about Sean Sherk, you have to admit that he’s right on in his description of the UFC’s 155-pound division in a new interview with Sam Caplan. The last time the lightweight title went up for grabs was in May, when Sherk decided to throw his wrestling out the window and try to kickbox his way to a victory over B.J. Penn. Turned out to be a bad idea.
Now here we are, six months later, with new contenders clawing their way up the ladder and the division’s champ focusing on a fight in an entirely different weight class. That’s fine for Penn, and for the suddenly superfight-happy UFC, but what about the rest of the 155’ers, asks Sherk:
With 155, it’s one of the most stacked weight classes right now and the unfortunate thing is that there is no one at the top of it defending the belt right now. There are a lot of guys fighting their way up to the top trying to get title shots and then once you get up to the top, you’re like, “Okay, so where’s the champion?”
You don’t even have anyone to fight so it’s kind of frustrating to me and it’s got to be frustrating to other guys because nobody really knows what’s going on right now. It just kind of sucks. I think if you’re going to be a champion for the weight class then you should stay at that weight class and defend the belt. If you go to a different weight class then the belt should be left behind and give somebody else an opportunity to fight for it.
Dana White says Penn is going to defend both titles if he successfully takes the welterweight strap from Georges St. Pierre in January, but it’s hard to see how that’s really a fix for this problem. Having one guy defend two titles just means that both titles get defended a little less often. This, too, would just kind of suck. Such is the siren’s song of the superfight between two champions from different weight classes. At least if GSP wins it will simplify things somewhat. Until he goes up to fight Anderson Silva.
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Comments
walrus Says:
I see where he is coming from
kazanski13 Says:
you know what else sucks? Sherks fights.
UFCinCalgary Says:
UFC 102 at the Saddledome. BJ vs. Kenflo
ruckus Says:
Yea, it sucks...
But god damn do I want to see BJ vs GSP.
In my mind I just pretend that K-Flo is at the top of the weight class (which is kind of true). This works out because he seems to be perfectly happy continuously defending his top-contender status until BJ Penn comes back.
Plus, I like the idea of Florian sharpening his skills on the other contenders while he waits (even though in reality he could of course just lose and mess things up some more).
greenseed Says:
or vancouver!
bc place!
zipzingggg!
greenseed Says:
UFCinCalgary Says:
UFC 102 at the Saddledome. BJ vs. Kenflo
or vancouver!
bc place!
zipzingggg!
WhaT? Says:
Florian grabs the cage more that anyone....ever.
Farthammer Says:
Tell Sherk to shut up. Nobody cares about "title defenses" and "#1 contenders get title shots" and all that crap. It's all about PPV buys and revenue; who cares about anything else.
Tune in for Lesnar vs. a Bear in 3 months.
Piss in my own fruit tray Says:
Who cares what Sherk thinks is fair or unfair....you had your shot, the better fighter won now go train and take the fights your given....if anyone should be voicing frustration it should be the top contender in the weight class, Not Sherk.
In saying that I think the UFC knows what they are doing, and BJ knows what he is doing too, He is going to seal a legacy, and Sherk is just another hater who isn't at the level of GSp or Penn so he would rather sit on the sideline and voice frustration....my advice is keep your mind focused on the things that are important to you as an individual fighter, things like keeping steroids out of your veins.
Cap'n Says:
I'll take Lesnar by TKO stoppage via 40-50 rabbit punches 2:36 Round 1.
Imbecile Says:
I just don't get why Dana and company give in to what a whiny little bitch BJ Penn is. He is never content where he is at, and he is always a legend in his own mind without going through the time and effort to actually secure that status. Sure, he is very highly skilled. But he hasn't even really defended his belt yet, and he bitches to Dana until he is allowed an immediate title shot in another weight class where he lost his last two fights. Why do they give in to this spoiled asshole?
A lot of people don't like Sean Sherk, but at least the guy knows what hard work is, and appreciates when he accomplishes something. For BJ, everything is just handed to him, so he just asks for more. I know this isn't the best example, since I'm sure all of the anti-Sherk people will say he never worked hard, took the easy way out using steroids, blah, blah, blah... But whether he used steroids or not, he certainly works harder than BJ has ever worked in his life.
Also, that's an interesting picture CP used above. Interesting, because I was furious at Florian in his last fight for grabbing the fence against Stevenson, thus putting himself in a position to get right back up. That fight might have been very different with Stevenson on top for the first round. Florian's fence grab clearly changed the momentum the fight was going in. Not saying Florian wouldn't have won (and I am slowly becoming a big Florian fan), but I hate to see when cheating is habitual. The photo above makes me think Florian needs to work a little harder at playing by the rules.
E Honda Says:
"With 155, it’s one of the most stacked weight classes right now " ? ? ?
Its definately not even close to being the most stacked weight division. It falls short whether you are talking talent or starpower. I would have to put it last or maybe second last too the middle weight division. BJ Penn and Silva are awesome and hugely talented but everyone else in their divisions has fought and lost for the title or lacks star potential.
mayhem420 Says:
Sounds like some sour grapes to me.
Sherk isnt even the #1 contender so what does he care?
KenFlo doesnt seem to mind so why should anyone else?
GSP/Penn is a fight everyone wants to see.
Sherk vs anyone ... yea not that much.
Farthammer Says:
Cap'n makes a great call.
mayhem420 Says:
@Imbecile
Dude if you aint cheatin you aint trying!
B2thaRad Says:
Sean Sherk 33-3-1
BJ Penn 13-4-1
GSP 17-2
Sherk is a top level fighter and he is the last person to beat the #1 contender Kenflo so dont hate on him.
Gunny Says:
Screw Sherk. He has no business discussing it until he is the #1 contender. He had his shot and got destroyed, end of story, and end of your right to shoot off your mouth about it. The only one with that right is KenFlo and he is happy being a company man. KenFlo will get it all back in spades, Dana knows he could be crying but isn't, he even defended his #1 status very convincingly. Good for KenFlo, it shows his true colors and Dana tends to take care of guys who just do their job whether they see the bigger picture or not (which KF does). He'll get his shot.
As others have said, everyone wants to see BJ destroy GSP. No one cares about the lay and pray has been Sherk anymore, all he wants is some publicity. He is gonna end up going the way of Huerta if he isn't careful. And I don't mean boning Arianna Celeste either...
ChinBo Says:
Sherk should keep his mouth shut and stop whining. He had his chance not so long ago and basically blew it so bad that no one ever wants to see him fight BJ again cause they know what is going to happen.
KenFlo is the only person right now that gets to complain about BJ fighting GSP. Because he is the only one that actually deserves a title shot. I
m sorry but Sherk's decision win over Tyson Griffin impressed no one. ( I mean a win is always impressive but he showed nothing different from his last fights, BJ would kill him again)
shiki31 Says:
and bj beat sherk up so don't hate on him either.
shiki31 Says:
also, sherk's "win" over griffin was questionable. i'm surprised more people didn't see that "win" as controversial...i really honestly thought griffin won. in any case, sherk isn't the number 1 contender so he should just sit back and shut up. he had his chance to beat bj and he got his ass handed to him. so shut up and wait your turn before you get another flying knee in your grill. bitch.
bigfoot Says:
it is what it is man. If 155'ers gotta wait their turn then so be it. Penn is an acceptional fighter in an acceptional situation fighting a guy like GSP for the title. This doent happen to many guys already holding titles in other weight classes. Im sure Thiago Alves is chompping at the bit to fight GSP but he's gotta take a back seat to BJ Penn. Im not sure if this article was really cage potato worthy, infact its just kind of reinforcing the odvious " this sucks, bj penn is fighting another guy in another weight class and now it prolongs other 155'ers making their way up the food chain..." waa waa. Things will probably go back to normal when GSP defeats Penn. Penn can then focus on title challangers in the light weights.
just some dong Says:
@imbecile
penn actually has defended his belt - he was already the champ when he fought sherk.
i think it's interesting that kenny gets the title shot next tho, considering he was dominated by sherk when they fought. i think they should fight again to see who the #1 really is. they've got to wait for the outcome of 94 anyway. plus sherk could have been taking 'roids last time... i'd like to see if he can beat kenny without performance enhancers. but it should be a free fight night event or something. maybe a 94 undercard fight.
just some dong Says:
@imbecile
penn actually has defended his belt - he was already the champ when he fought sherk.
i think it's interesting that kenny gets the title shot next tho, considering he was dominated by sherk when they fought. i think they should fight again to see who the #1 really is. they've got to wait for the outcome of 94 anyway. plus sherk could have been taking 'roids last time... i'd like to see if he can beat kenny without performance enhancers. but it should be a free fight night event or something. maybe a 94 undercard fight.
rh Says:
Five reasons why Sean Sherk should shut the fuck up:
He went 10 months between Florian and Franca, and it's has only been 5 before he starts whining.
His boss, who loves both superfights and a crap reality TV show so much that he couldn't care less about title schedules anyway...he should be whining to Dana, not Caplan. Although Caplan can usually be found with his head up Dana's ass, so maybe that's not too far off.
He's never going to beat BJ and he wouldn't even beat Florian again, so he's aching to hurry up and get his ass handed to him again.
He has more fucking cans in his 33-3-1 record than a fucking grocery store...can you say Lee King? Joel Blanton?
and finally, he's a fucking cheater, so who gives a shit what he has to say, unless he finally admits to juicing and apologizes?
Canadian Buddha Says:
MMA rule #1
as a title holder YOU MUST defend your belt a minimum of 4 times a year or 'No Belt for You'
MMA rule #2
you must fight WHOMEVER they match you with, regardless if it's your buddy, your team mate or Lover, you can kiss and make up later while counting your cash!
MMA rule #3
Pay your fighters right after the bout (hear that Dream!)
MMA rule #4
Stop hyping fights that have happened 3 or 4 times previously, give someone else a chance at recognition and greatness!
MMA rule #5
a ranking system that involves EVERY organization regardless of how many fighters you have in your stable!
MMA rule #6
Cross Promotion between ALL organizations is a MUST, why you ask....
for the fans..remember those people that buy your merchandise and PPV's, ya those people who have bought your expensive clothes, big houses and Ferraris/Porches/Lambos and have allowed your business' to be as successful as they are
Maud Says:
Sherk better check his tone.
Dex Says:
I don't think you should have to vacate your title to fight in another weight class, but if you atcually win a title in another weight class you should have to vatate it at that point.
Also, if the UFC let's BJ or anyone else hold 2 titles it should be w/ the caveat that they will be figthing every 2 or 3 months min.
dude Says:
If Penn beats GSP I think he should give up the 155 belt and the UFC should have Florian and Sherk fight for the belt. But I don't see Penn beating GSP so forget what I just said.
England Rules Says:
Said ages ago it wont work because both titles would only be defended twice a year..
Anonymous Says:
Hold on guys I think I can explain this one to Sherkroids
BJ Penn vs GSP = cool
BJ Penn vs Sean Sherk= Meh
BJ Penn vs Kenny Florian= MEHHH
DuBTercel Says:
For all of you complaining about Sherk I went to a seminar with him about 2 weeks ago and I asked him who he wanted to fight next and he said that he wanted to fight the winner of florian/stevenson NOT BJ Penn. IMO that seems like a legitimate fight. Of course he wants to fight for the championship again, he WAS the champion, how can you fault him for wanting a chance to get his belt back...
jesus frijoles Says:
This is all a moot point, GSPis going to put a world class ass kicking on BJ. I also agree....BJ vs Florian=mehhhh.
jesus frijoles Says:
GSP is going to effing destroy BJ. I predict a world class ass kicking.BJ will then move back down and hand Florian the defeat he has been fighting for.As for Sherk....who cares?
ruckus Says:
If all a fighter has to do is grab the fence once to "turn the momentum" of a fight then he was probably going to win anyways... unless you're suggesting that Joe Daddy is such a beast that all he needs is one take down to win a fight...
Don't hate... K Flo beat him up, then subbed him.
newotnek Says:
Yeah, Sherk knows hard work... if by hard work you mean roids.
Blaphtome Says:
There is no one currently at 155 who is on BJ's level. This dude has beaten, Matt Hughes, Gomi, Uno, Sherk, Ludwig, Serra, has fought Machida to a decision, and would have handed GSP his ass last time with better conditioning. I'm no nuthugger, but these are the facts. I believe Kenflo does not bitch about the situation, because he is aware of his own need to develope further as a fighter before facing BJ. That said, I don't think BJ will be facing the same GSP as last time either. This will be a great fight.
Butthead Says:
Sean Sherk is a whining little cheater, that if he wouldn't have done steroids he wouldn't be in this position. Plus he had his chance and blew it..... i guess the steroids did make a difference! FAG!
Butthead Says:
Oh yeah that canadian puke is going down...
Emos Sux Says:
Sherk is just being emo.... and I hate emo...
Minnesota Madman Says:
I'm not sure if Sherk could even fight anytime soon, I saw him at the bar last night and he was walking like he got hit by a truck
Anonymous Says:
kenny florian cant stand with bj but he does have the technical advantage of being smarter and he will sub blowjob penn!!!!