Ken Shamrock is back. Again.
Both Ken and his 19-year-old son Ryan signed multi-fight contracts with EliteXC, the company announced Monday night in a press release.
Ken's first fight under Pro Elite's family of promotions will be for Cage Rage in London on March 8. An opponent has yet to be named. He will be 44 years old by the time of the fight.
Shamrock was one of UFC's most recognizable faces dating back to the very first UFC event in 1993. In his last fight for UFC, Shamrock lost for a third time to Tito Ortiz in an October 2006 fight that drew a significant TV rating for Spike TV. Shamrock announced his retirement after the loss.
Speculation has been brewing for more than a year that Shamrock and his adoptive younger brother Frank -- also an MMA legend and currently the top contracted star for EliteXC -- would fight each other. The chatter escalated this month with the surfacing of a web site, BloodBrothersPPV.com, featuring Ken and Frank facing off and a countdown clock ending in the spring. The countdown now lasts until December. Meanwhile, Frank Shamrock is slated to fight Cung Le at a Strikeforce event on March 29.
Ryan Shamrock is 1-0 in MMA after making his debut on a show in Oroville, Calif. in August 2007. Shamrock defeated Josh Besneatte with a choke in under two minutes at the event promoted by his father.
Ken Shamrock, son sign with EliteXC
Posted on: January 15, 2008 9:19 am
Edited on: March 11, 2008 12:37 pm
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
Tags: Cage Rage, Cung Le, EliteXC, Frank Shamrock, Josh Besneatte, Ken Shamrock, MMA, ProElite, Ryan Shamrock, UFC
Comments
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Reputation: 96
Level: Superstar Since: Mar 6, 2007 
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Posted on: January 16, 2008 8:30 am
Ken Shamrock, son sign with EliteXCThis seems like a risky move for the Shamrocks. Unlike Randy Couture, at 44 years old, Ken is well past his prime. By staying independent, he would have much more control over who he fights. Bringing his son in with only one professional fight under his belt seems irresponsible at best. Maybe Ken did this as a package deal to move Ryan quickly up to better competion. For his sake, I hope he's ready for it. |
Reputation: 64
Level: Pro Since: Jan 17, 2008
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Posted on: January 17, 2008 12:30 pm
Ken Shamrock, son sign with EliteXCKen is still the best pro wrestler in MMA, as long as Don Frye stays retired. If he did this to help his son get exposure, well, that's interesting. I thought my dad put pressure on me when he coached my Little League team. |
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Reputation: 90
Level: All-Star Since: Oct 10, 2007
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Posted on: January 17, 2008 2:30 pm
Ken Shamrock, son sign with EliteXCI was really surprised that Ken didn't hang up the gloves after the final loss to Tito. He really seemed to have lost speed, power, endurance, everything. I also think the game has passed him by in many ways. In the early days of the UFC he was a grappling master, but now when someone puts him on his back he has no offense from the guard and no viable escapes, so he just lays there and absorbs punishment until it's over. I really think his time is done. |
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Reputation: 97
Level: Superstar Since: Dec 13, 2006
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Posted on: January 20, 2008 3:37 am
Ken Shamrock, son sign with EliteXCWas he any good at cards? |
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