Interview w/ UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock
Reported By: Boxing Insider - 11.24.2003 02:51 AM
The following interview was conducted by Chris Burns at UFC 45: Revolution for the Wrestling-Online.com newsletter:
On Friday, November 21, Ultimate Fighting Championship held UFC 45: Revolution at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Ct. Among the featured attractions was the matchup between Tank Abbott and Cabbage Correira, and the first two inductions into the UFC Hall of Fame. The two men recieving this honor were Royce Gracie, the jiu-jitsu master from Brazil, and the US's Ken Shamrock.
Chris Bernes: Any time a sports figure reaches their respective Hall Of Fame, they consider it the pinnacle of their career, and everyone recognizes it as such. But on a personal level, what does your induction into the UFC Hall of Fame mean to you?
Ken Shamrock: When you accomplish something like that... it's not really an accomplishment. It's the organization and the fans recognizing your contributions that you have put in over the years. This is something that you can't win. For me it means that my quote "I will never be forgotten, and I will never forget" is the easiest way to put it. This means the world to me.
CB: Let me ask you about some of the men that helped you blaze the trail for the UFC to become what it is. Obviously, the first name that comes to mind is Royce Gracie.
KS: I'll tell you, Royce and I have bumped heads, and we are not the best of friends, but I respect what he has done in UFC. If it weren't for me and Royce, who knows where UFC would be. This deal could have fell down long, long ago. But because of that rivalry, UFC was able to take off, and the fans really had something to bite into. They stayed with us the whole time, and here we are ten years later.
CB: You also had a memorable rivalry with "The Beast", Dan Severn.
KS: (laughs) You know, I've had more "rivalries" with people than anyone in this sport. It was originally Royce Gracie, Then it was Dan Severn; then Don Frye; Tito Ortiz; Tank Abbott... I mean, I have had a lot of great rivalries, but Severn was definetly tough. One of the toughest.
CB: You mentioned Tank Abbott. You both eventually left UFC to join the professional wrestling world: yourself in 1997 with the World Wrestling Federation, Tank in 1999 with World Championship Wrestling. What led to your transition from mixed martial arts to pro wrestling?
KS: It was a transition that began with where UFC was at, at the time. They weren't able to pay me... and I don't care about money, but I DO care about money. I wanted to make sure I made a living. I have four kids that I have to put through college. The money I made with UFC at the time wasn't enough to where I could support my family. So I sat down with the owner of UFC at that time, and we had a long
discussion. At the end of that discussion, he wished me the best, and good luck in my endeavors, and I left on good terms. I simply explained to him, "I can't make a living doing this", although I love it. So when I looked around, the WWF alowed me to come in as who I was, as my "character", and do submissions, and introduce that style to the fans. That really wasn't there at that time.
CB: You really opened alot of doors for submission maneuvers in the pro wrestling genre.
KS: Yeah, I mean look at it now. Everybody's doing it, and I sort of started it. I mean, it was around, but after me, it was everywhere. I feel complimented by that. I had a really great run there, and I believe ther is more to come!
CB: Tonight, are there any particular matchups that pique your interest?
KS: I really like Matt Hughes vs, Frank Trigg. I think that match will be great. I also think that Phil Baroni's match with Evan Tanner will be really exciting. With Phil it always is. And of course, Tank Abbott vs. Cabbage Correira is going to be real interesting. I mean, Tank
looks good. I am not real sure how he is going to do once that bell rings, but he looks great. And Cabbage doesn't (laughs). But who knows? That's the great thing about UFC, that you never know what's going to happen.
(author's note: The Tank Abbott/Cabbage Correira bout was stopped due to a cut above Tank's eye less than 3 minutes into the bout. Cabbage was the winner, but the fans were certainly behind Tank Abbott.)
CB: Let's talk about your ACL injury. How is your knee holding up?
KS: Man, when it happened, I was really depressed. And after the injury, I became really disappointed, because I didn't think I was going to be back anytime soon. But I am recovering fast. I have had two and a half months since the injury, already I am doing leg curls, riding the bike, short runs, some weight training. So, I have really come a long way in a short period of time. I am really excited about my
recovery.
CB: Will there be a UFC comeback in your future?
KS: Absolutely!
CB: (laughing) You know this name is going to come up again, but I have to ask: Is Tito Ortiz on Ken Shamrock's dance card once you come back?
KS: (laughs) Oh yeah... Tito Ortiz, and Tank Abbott!
CB: Would there ever be a return to the pro wrestling ranks?
KS: Sure, it all depends on what happens, and how it happens. We have to wait and see. They seem to be going in a different direction than what I like. I am not so sure I would fit in there. But in the right storyline, sure. Maybe with Kurt Angle! I mean, he stole my anklelock!! (laughs)
CB: When you left the WWF, and Kurt Angle was just breaking through at the time, it wasn't more than six months later that he began using the ankle lock for a finisher. Some pro wrestlers take exception when another guy cops his move. Did you feel any of that at all?
KS: No, I actually took it as a compliment. Most people see it as someone trying to steal "their" move, but I loved it. If someone is copying you, that is a form of flattery. It was like Kurt and the WWE saying "Hey, we respect you", I think it is pretty cool what he did. He can't do it as well as I can, but he's trying!! (laughs)
CB: You already said you'd like to work with Kurt Angle. If a WWE return happens, what would you say to a match with Brock Lesnar, former NCAA wrestling champion?
KS: Oh yeah, I would do it. But there is really no angle there to explain it. I think Kurt Angle would be the perfect opponent, and it would be the right time to do it. If I do come back, it would be him (Angle). Or even Goldberg, who's character is that of someone who is
supposed to be a mixed-martial artist, and a real bad-ass, and it would work well.
CB: Is there anyone coming out of your "Lion's Den" that UFC fans should be on the lookout for?
KS: Yeah, there are a few. I have some guys in Dallas, a jiu-jitsu guy who works out with us regularly. We have one big Russian kid who is definetly impressive. I tried to get one of my guys, Vernon, in here to UFC, because we feel he is ready. He fought one fight against a kid from England, in a match I had to pull out of.
CB: In your mind, where does Ultimate Fighting Championship "Hall Of Famer" Ken Shamrock go from here?
KS: First of all, I just want to say that the Hall Of Fame is the best achievement an athelete can receive. It ties up their whole career. But I have some things I have to do in the Octagon before I hang it up. But tonight, after being inducted into the Hall Of Fame, I'm gonna feel good, reflect on it AND what it means for about a 24-hour period, and then I have to get back into the gym. That's when I've got to start doing what got me here to the Hall Of Fame, and that's go train and get ready for a fight! And that, my return, should be in March or April.
CB: I am certainly not going to count you out. Ken, on behalf of our readers, thank you for your time, and best of luck!
KS: Thank you, Chris. It was a pleasure!
Aside from his workouts which will lead him back into the UFC Octagon, Ken and another former WWF star, Steve "Lethal Weapon" Blackman, have started a clothing line. You can check it out at GNPGEAR.com. The stuff looks great!
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