MightyGloves.com

How Sweet the Pound: An Interview with Frank Shamrock

posted by mightygloves.com on September 5, 2008, in Punch Lines By Judi Abate

By Judi Abate
MMA Real Talk
Photos Courtesy of SherDog
How do you talk to a legend? What do you ask one of the pioneers of MMA that he hasn't been asked 100 times over? Where do you being the storyline the past,the present or the future? I viewed this interview with Frank Shamrock as one of my biggest challenges. Even though my research and investigation into 'The Legend' was complete I was still a little bit uneasy.
Frank Shamrock made the time spent interviewing him effortless,spontaneous and above all memorable. He turned the butterflies in my stomach into surprise, laughter and awe. For the record this was one of the best interviews I have ever done.

Frank ' The Legend' Shamrock (23-9-2) debuted in MMA in 1994 and 14 years later he is still active today. Frank is one of the first MMA fighters not to specialize in just a single discipline and successfully blended wrestling, submissions and striking. His accomplishments are many and his disappointments few. He is everything he is claimed to be but there are also sides of Frank that have truly impressed me-his inmost understanding of MMA especially the artistic and spiritual side of this combat sport, his honesty-there are ' no holds barred' in his responses or outlook on the sport he lives and loves, his contagious laughter-when topics amuse him or my off beat questions caught him off guard he is quick with the laughter and shows his enjoyment openly. Above all his ability to illuminate the sport he holds close to his heart in a way that makes one see beyond the gloves and the cage. I can see why, Frank Shamrock is the perfect ambassador for mixed martial arts.

It was both an honor and a pleasure to spend some time with 'the Legend' and to examine his opinions and suggestions on the state of MMA today and what it's future might be.
Slowly entering into the essence of the octagon ...I asked my first question:


JA What are your ultimate goals for MMA?
FS To get the sport to the masses. It's an unique lifestyle and to give everyone a chance to do it.

JA Who would you like to fight most?
FS Ken ( Shamrock)

JA What is MMA's biggest asset?
FS The content itself. Two guys who duke it out. Two guys fighting but really fighting.

JA What is MMA's biggest liability?
FS It's a young sport.

JA What is your view on the lack of respect between boxers and MMA fighters?
FS It's different. We respect our opponent, it's communal and it is a martial art. Boxing is yourself and a trainer with no community.

JA What is your training routine like?
FS I'm training all the time. 6 days a week. I'm always working on something to make myself better even if it's only 20 minutes a day. It's my lifestyle and an art form. When I'm training for a fight I do 2-3 sessions a day.

JA Do you feel MMA is your life blood?
FS Being a martial artist MMA defines me. It's an art form. Today's MMA fighters need to realize it is an art with spiritual,mental and physical components to it.

JA Do you enjoy doing MMA commentary?
FS It's fun.

JA How would you describe your MMA style?
FS Submission fighting. Making someone give up that's my job.

JA Do you consider yourself one of the pioneers of MMA?
FS Most definitely. I didn't think so until now.

JA You have been described as the original George St. Pierre, any comment?
FS He was an athlete way ahead of everyone else and I was also like that.

JA Have you ever refused to tap out?
FS No.

JA Would you like a rematch with Cung Le or Tito?
FS Of course. Both are friends of mine. It would be a fun, physical contest.

JA What was your favorite fight?
FS Baroni.

JA You were on an internet talk show that included a pro boxer and a pro kick boxer. During the show the boxer challenged Liddell to a bare knuckle stand up fight in a cage. He also suggested a fight with you. Any comments?
FS I don't know the guy. Sounds like he needs money. If he boxed bare knuckled he'd be a pile of stones. It's ridiculous. Don't get me wrong I love boxing I thought of being a pro boxer before MMA. I train the most in boxing.

JA Who was your toughest opponent?
FS Physically, Tito. The one who wouldn't die, Inoue.

Ja How do you prepare yourself mentally for a match?
FS That's a good question. I read and relax to distract my mind. Remove myself from my community. Visualization. I do a mental study including techniques and what I was working on in the gym while I dream.

JA What would your advice be for beginners of MMA?
FS Get a good instructor, a good mentor. Work on technique.

JA Who is the greatest MMA fighter that ever lived?
FS Bruce Lee.

JA Comment on the steroid problem recently effecting MMA ?
FS There is a steroid problem in America. Some of the MMA fighters today are concerned with their images and have definite goals. They want to take short cuts. You need money to participate in MMA those same people also have access to products. I have never done them and they are not good for sports.

JA What do you as the future of MMA?
FS To involve real business men. Good stars and good stories. Kick ass fights.

JA Do you see MMA as combat sports entertainment?
FS Yes.

JA Who would you consider the best p4p fighter?
FS George St. Pierre

JA Do you see MMA as a bloddy sport?
FS Yes, but it's like a car accident people slow up to see how gross it is when they should just speed along. That's what attracts MMA fans.

JA Is the striking game more dangerous than the ground game?
FS Yes. Due to the length of the round. Boxing is an aerobic based sport. You have to conserve your energy to throw and defend punches.

JA How is your middle game?
FS Middle game?
JA Maybe I need to change this question but that which comes between standing up and being on the ground?
FS Awesome! That is called the clinch-grabbing or tying up. Usually it's punch-clinch-ground.
JA Thank you for explaining that Frank.

JA How long do you see yourself in MMA?
FS My contract is for 9yrs-3 months with 2 fights a year.

JA How old is too old to be fighting in the MMA?
FS 45. In my opinion after 40 you should be careful.

JA Moving on to some off beat questions that will let the fans can get a glimpse of the 'real' Frank Shamrock. What makes you special?
FS My focus and I like people.

JA Favorite color?
FS Red

Ja Favorite food?
FS Pizza

JA 3 words to describe you?
FS Kind hearted, honest( really), and I care. I am genuinely touched by people. People interest me.
JA That'a a little more than 3 words but I'll let you slide.
FS Lol

JA What are your hobbies?
FS Watching boxing, taking walks and mountainous runs.

JA One thing people would never guess about you?
FS Everyone knows everything.

JA If you could be an animal...
FS A lion.

JA If you could have a superhero power it would be...
FS To change people's minds.

JA What are you afraid of?
FS Letting down my community.

JA The best part of your body is?
FS My head.
JA Do you mean your brain?
FS The whole thing.

JA Any Tatoo's?
FS 2

JA If you were ice cream what flavor would you be?
FS Rocky road

JA What modern convenience can't you live without?
FS My palm/cell phone.

JA Which of the 7 dwarfs best describes you?
FS Sleepy

JA Do you consider yourself a role model?
FS I hope so.

JA Do you love to prove people wrong?
FS No I'm not that guy. I love to win. I'm very competitive.

JA What is your opinion of professional boxing?
FS In it's current state it's in serious trouble. It's diluted. People in boxing believe your record equals who you are. That idea needs to be changed. Boxing is about the fight.

Ja What do you think of Women's boxing and Women's MMA?
FS I love them.

JA What are you passionate about?
FS My family, learning new things,reading.

JA What do you like to read?
FS Everything. Murder mysteries, I'm reading a book on psychotics.

JA Are you more of the villian or the hero type?
FS Hero

JA When your not training I can find you...
FS Working.

JA What makes you a bad ass?
FS I'm not afraid to get my ass kicked.

JA Are you nervous before a match?
FS I use to be. Now just a little bit. If you're not nervous then something isn't right.

JA Do you have any bad habits?
FS Lol I don't turn my socks inside out. I have a short term memory I'll leave things and just walk away.

JA What's the easiest way to tick you off?
FS Hurt my feelings.

JA What are the qualities you admire in other people?
FS Loyality,honesty,ambition and calmness.

JA What makes a well-conditioned fighter?
FS Road work, do all the required areas, physical, muscle/cardio conditioning and core techniques. MMA is a sport of attrition. Smart people can turn MMA into an aerobic activity to fight twice as long and as hard.

JA Who is one guy outside of the sport that you would like to fight?
FS That guy that challenged Liddell
JA Really?
FS No. It wouldn't be worth it for me.
JA Well then, who?
FS John Mc Cain, Hilliary but not Obama he probably has some moves.
JA You are so bad.
FS Lol

JA What do you think about Ken and Kimbo?
FS It's amazing that Ken is still here in the new beginning of MMA. He was in MMA at the very beginning. He still has market value as well as physical and technical ability. He has a chance. If he wins he'll be the man.

JA You mentioned you enjoy watching boxing.
FS I do. I watch it for the techniques. I enjoy the art of boxing not the sport.

JA Who is your favorite boxer?
FS Roy Jones Jr.

Ja Who are some of your favoite MMA fighters?
Fs Couture, Liddell, Ortiz, St. Pierre, and Fedor. I like everyone. Fighters who are extaordinary at their techniques.

JA Closing words of wisdom?
FS If you're not training martial arts you shoud definitely start.

JA Thank you for the great interview Frank and good luck in all you do.
FS I enjoyed it.
JA Same here.
FS Have a great Labor Day Weekend.
JA You too. Take Care.

* To learn more about Frank Shamrock you can visitwww.frankshamrock.com

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