Former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk may be past his prime, but he certainly doesn’t think that. The 37 year old fighter has faced some of the biggest names in the industry but seems on the verge of becomming nothing more than a gate keeper for a newer, faster style of lightweight division. Sherk will have a tough test as he takes on undefeated fighter Evan Dunham at UFC 119 on Sept. 25 in Indianapolis but expect Sherk to be equally prepared for the fight which will be his first after returning from injury. Here’s his thoughts on how he stacks up with the division, via Sherdog:
I’m a force to be reckoned with. Anyone who thinks I’m not can step in the Octagon with me. I’ve got all kinds of stuff left to offer this industry and this sport. I’m not going anywhere for a long time. I haven’t lost any athleticism. I haven’t lost any of my ability. I’ve only gotten better, and I’ve only gotten smarter.”
“I trained so hard for years, and I felt like I had to train hard and train myself 100 percent for these fights because I was fighting a lot of tough guys. I really haven’t fought anybody who was outside the top 10 since 2005. I’ve had to train my butt off to get ready for these fights, and I did what I needed to do. Unfortunately, after training that hard for that long, your body will start giving out on you. But I took some time off and was able to get myself healed up.”