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Frank Shamrock interview

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#1 ·
New Frank Shamrock interview makes some good points and while he still sounds like an asshole he shows signs he might be growing up which is a good sign for all of the fans of the old Frank

FRANK SHAMROCK INTERVIEW -- PART ONE

Chris Howie of *******.com: This is Chris Howie for *******.com and I’m here today with former UFC Middleweight champion and current Elite XC star Frank Shamrock. How are you today Frank?

Frank Shamrock: I’m doing well.

*******.com: You have the much anticipated fight with Phil Baroni coming up at the EliteXC/Strikeforce: Judgment Day show on June 22 at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, CA. How are things going for that fight?

Frank Shamrock: They are going fantastic. I started about eight weeks out and I’m ready to fight today or tomorrow but I’m holding it all inside.

*******.com: Are you looking forward to getting in there with him [Baroni]?

Frank Shamrock: Oh yeah. It’s been a long time coming - almost two and a half years we’ve been working on this fight. It’s hard when you’re an independent but I think this is going to be a big deal and a good time.

*******.com: There has been a lot of back and forth talking between you and Phil and a lot of fans have been waiting a long time to see this. It's refreshing to see the fight get made unlike many other built up grudges that never materialized into a match.

Frank Shamrock: Yeah, it has been a long time. This will be the second fight born, actually the third fight born from the internet. The fans really demand it. To me it’s going to be a good time. Phil’s a great opponent because more than anything he gets out and he markets the fight and he works it. That’s what you need to be doing in the sport.

*******.com: How do you see the fight going when the first bell sounds?

Frank Shamrock: Well, I’m going to stand him up. I think he lacks real skill and timing in the stand up so I’m going to stand it up and bang it out with him and see what he has to offer. I don’t think he understands the level of striking that I do possess. I hope it’s a stand up fight. I think it will be a lot more exciting, not only for the new fans that came in with Showtime but I think fans in general will appreciate a good stand up and bang fight.

*******.com: If the fight goes to the ground are you worried there at all?

Frank Shamrock: No. No, no, no. I don’t think he is very skilled on the ground. In fact, that’s how I met Phil. A few years ago I was actually training with Jeff Blatnick back in the day and Phil was sitting there like a puppy dog asking questions. That’s how I became acquainted with him. I don’t think he knows anything on the ground.

*******.com: Jeff Blatnick, there is a name I haven't heard in a while.

Frank Shamrock: Yeah man, Jeff and I are from the old school. Anytime we get together we like to wrestle. He's 50 years old man and still goes at it like a 20 year old.

*******.com: [laughs]. After the fight with Phil Baroni where do you see yourself going from there? Any ideas?

Frank Shamrock: I hope to fight Renzo [Gracie] again in September. I plan on fighting every quarter. I’d really like to get in there with Renzo though and get all that sorted out. The fans deserve better than that. I played a safe game. Next time I’m just going to go out and crush him and not give him a chance to find a way out.

*******.com: I read an interview with Renzo last week in which he said you "have the personality of a dead man and if you were a company you’d be sued for false advertising."

Frank Shamrock: [laughing]. I think that's fantastic. Well I'm glad Renzo is finally getting out there and working it because he didn't do much last time. And then he quit on me to top it off.

*******.com: The way that fight ended did you think he over-reacted?

Frank Shamrock: For one, he needs acting lessons and for two, if he's had acting lessons than he's a terrible actor. You know I've been in a lot of fights throughout my life and when you hit somebody and hurt them they go soft their body changes and their energy changes.

*******.com: Right.

Frank Shamrock: When he stuck his head in front of my knee I knew he was looking for a way out. The moment I touched him I knew that he was going to quit. I could feel it in his body. He was sucking wind like he was an 80 year old man. But here’s how I look at it: God bless him. He found a way out and more power to him.

*******.com: Yeah, I was watching the fight and when it happened it was kind of like... wait, what just happened here?

Frank Shamrock: Yeah. His corner told him to stay down and he was winded as all hell and he was done. I know when a man is done fighting and he was done fighting. He found a way out and that was my bad for letting him find that opportunity. That's how I look at it.

*******.com: In that fight you were controlling the stand up from my perspective but he was taking you down at will. When he got you there he wasn't doing a whole lot though.

Frank Shamrock: Yeah, he just took me down and held me and just prayed that I wouldn't get up and punch him in the head. Here's a master of jiu-jitsu and he took me up and held me in one position and it's like - okay, I was under the impression that we were going to fight a stand up-go down high activity fight. I knew he couldn't keep pace with me. He ran out of things to do. He took the easy way out.

*******.com: So you figure that fight will happen in September?

Frank Shamrock: Yeah, I’m going to try and get him in there in September. It's not decided yet but it should be the next one for me.

*******.com: With the EliteXC, Strikeforce, K-1, and other organizations working together do you think we’ll see other Shamrock vs. Gracie fights… maybe Royce Gracie vs. Frank Shamrock?

Frank Shamrock: I really hope so. The door has always been open to the Gracie's. Cesar was the first one to step up and I knocked him out. Renzo was the second one and then he quit on me. I'd have no problem fighting any of them. To be honest with you, I like the younger, more athletic fighters. They bring a better game and show a better fight. My two fights with the Gracie's have both been crap.

*******.com: Who are some of your favorite fighters to watch?

Frank Shamrock: I love the young guys man. I love Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes. Matt Hughes is getting older though. I love Mirko CroCop though it was sad to see him get smashed. The younger generation has a better handle on the athleticism and the completeness of mixed-martial arts. That's where my style and my mind have been for years, the completeness of MMA. That is the most entertaining thing in the world. This laying and praying crap is boring. This is the most exciting sport in the world and it needs to be presented that way. I just love it when the young guys go for it.

*******.com: Definitely. What did you think of [Matt] Serra's knock out of GSP?

Frank Shamrock: Well you know what? I’ve known Serra for a long time and he’s always been on the verge of doing something spectacular. That's what I love about MMA, anything can happen.

*******.com: What is your relationship with Dana White at this time?

Frank Shamrock: I don’t have any relationship with that guy at this time. I don't do any business with him.

FRANK SHAMROCK INTERVIEW - PART TWO

*******.com: Do you think we’ll ever see you back in the UFC or in PRIDE?

Frank Shamrock: You know I don’t know. If Dana is running PRIDE I won’t be in PRIDE. If he’s not I’d love to fight in PRIDE. I’ve always wanted to. I don’t believe in who they [UFC] are and what they are doing though. If I don’t like you, I don’t want you in my life.

*******.com: That’s understandable.

Frank Shamrock: Why would you want an asshole in your life?

*******.com: With that being said, how do you feel you match up with some of the top ranked Middleweights in the world right now?

Frank Shamrock: I really have no idea. I train everyday and everywhere I go I have a wonderful time training. The world is changed and now it’s not about being the best fighter in the world, it’s about being the best marketing unit in the world. Dan Henderson is who I would have to say is the toughest at 185 pounds on the planet and I’d like to fight him.

*******.com: How are things with your IFL team?

Frank Shamrock: Oh they are going great man. They’re finally getting it going. It has took us a while to get the team together and get the flow. I couldn’t be happier man. They are young and hungry. We’re basically training them from the ground up and I’ve seen tremendous improvement in these guys. Even in the last two weeks they’ve stepped up and gone to a whole other level. I’m really excited about it. I love the boys.

*******.com: Back in January you faced off against your brother, Ken Shamrock’s team. Did you speak with Ken at the time?

Frank Shamrock: No. I haven’t spoken to Ken in maybe eight or nine years.

*******.com: Not even at that show?

Frank Shamrock: No. Honestly I never had a serious conversation with the man and I don’t have a relationship with him. He never liked me, never wanted me to be involved [with MMA] and he never thought I would be a world champion. He said I didn’t have the skills. I proved him wrong and it upset him a little and it’s been weird ever since.

*******.com: You once trained with B.J. Penn. Do you speak with him anymore?

Frank Shamrock: Yeah man I talk to him almost every day. B.J. is training his ass off man. He told me to head up to Seattle to do a little bit of training. I’m not really sure what his plans are though.

*******.com: Have you seen any episodes of The Ultimate Fighter 5?

Frank Shamrock: No, I haven’t seen it unfortunately. I’m pretty busy these days. At best I’ll get an episode of Boston Legal or Gray’s Anatomy in. Other than that I don’t really get much TV time.

*******.com: At the end of the season he’s fighting Jens Pulver in a rematch from their fight a few years back.

Frank Shamrock: Yeah, I actually helped train B.J. for the first one. I think he should just mash him on this one. I don’t really think there’s any question. The last time he let the pressure of fighting weigh him down. Now he’s used to it and he’s put himself in a good spot mentally.

*******.com: With numerous promotions coming together to do business (K-1, Strikeforce, EltieXC, Cage Rage), do you feel they can compete with the UFC?

Frank Shamrock: Anybody who does good business and has a good business model can compete. All the UFC is, is a bunch of guys with a bunch of money who learned through trial and error and bought a brand that was already established. They didn’t do anything spectacular. I’m sure if I bought Kleenex I could make Kleenex a stronger brand. You know what I mean? It’s not rocket science. I don’t think they have a competitive edge or anything. They just have having made the first move as their advantage. EliteXC can definitely compete and I’m really pleased seeing them bringing in as many people as possible. Having a monopoly doesn’t help everyone it just helps one person and there is enough talent, there’s enough fighting, and enough marketing. Everyone should be sharing the marketing dollar and develop new stars instead of their own stars. So I think they have a tremendous opportunity and I’ll help them anyway I can.

*******.com: Yeah, I saw the show in February and it was a good show.

Frank Shamrock: Exactly. It was a good show. For our first show it was a great show. The value of the production continues to go up and the level of fights are through the roof. If you have all the tools you can definitely make money and if you don’t you're not going to make money.

*******.com: Do you ever regret leaving the UFC?

Frank Shamrock: Never. They were going to use me and abuse me and then throw me away like everybody else. When they needed me again they’d call me up and try and get some more out of me.

*******.com: You came back and did commentary at UFC 32.

Frank Shamrock: Yeah. I did the commentary and I consulted with them. I don’t know, I’m at a different time in my life right now. I don’t want to go to work and have someone look at me and say “there’s my piece of meat. How much can I get out of him and how soon can I get it?”

*******.com: A question some people wanted to know about was, what was your side to the controversy concerning Pancrase asking Bas Rutten to take a dive so you could win the fight between you and him?

Frank Shamrock: I didn’t know there was a controversy. I know nothing about it.

*******.com: Are you working with any charities at this time?

Frank Shamrock: Always. On Mother’s Day I’m doing Courageous Kids Day for the American Cancer Society and that will be in San Jose at the Marriot’s Great America. I also work with Family First Foundation in Los Angeles and I work with Bridging Borders out of Chicago, IL. and they are all non-profit organizations. And I take care of my boys and there’s a lot of charity there to [laughs].

*******.com: Before we get out of here, is there anything you would like to say to your fans or your critics?

Frank Shamrock: Yeah, I’m just glad I have them. I’ve got fans and critics and what I’ve learned about this business is whether you’re a hero or zero, if you have other people talking about you it doesn’t matter. I do what I do and some people like it, and other hate it but I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. If it makes people happy, great, and if it makes people angry, great, and if you buy a PPV, even better.

*******.com: It’s like the old saying goes, any publicity is good publicity.

Frank Shamrock: Hey, I mean if you’ve ever spent a few minutes with me you know in my heart and soul I’m a good man and I try to do good things for everybody and that’s all I need to have in my life. The rest of it is all fun and B.S. … you know, sell tickets and have a good time.

*******.com: Yeah, for sure. Frank, I’d like to thank you for taking the time out to talk with me today. Good luck in your fight with Phil Baroni at the EliteXC/Strikeforce show on Showtime and PPV on June 22nd.

Frank Shamrock: Right on man. Thanks I appreciate it and thanks for the time.
 
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#2 ·
I read up to the Renzo part then noticed how long it was and quit reading. You were right about seeing the old Frank, he sounded like a genuine re-born Frank Shamrock in the first few questions, that is until you reach the Renzo Gracie questions then thats where new Frank comes in.
 
#4 ·
Negative1 said:
I read up to the Renzo part then noticed how long it was and quit reading. You were right about seeing the old Frank, he sounded like a genuine re-born Frank Shamrock in the first few questions, that is until you reach the Renzo Gracie questions then thats where new Frank comes in.
I feel like Frank just can't take losing at all anymore and it's sad because he was so great and he thinks he still that guy who was 5-0 in UFC and he's not maybe if he went and trained hard he could get back close to his old form but he's to proud to do that
 
#5 ·
Im getting sick of seeing this prick all over the place.....saying that the only reason Royce Gracie got into the UFC was to sell dvd's. Right Frank Shamrock... Royce Gracie trained that hard for years and years just so he could sell a ****ing dvd.
 
#8 ·
I don't think he came off as being more confident as any other MMA fighter. He's fighting Gracie's because they're known as tough fighters, what's the big deal? Him and Renzo are about at the same stages in their life. I don't know what happened in the fight, I only watched. But anytime a Gracie gets knocked out in anyway an angel get it's wings.

So he hates Dana White, so what. I think alot of what Frank says is behind the scenes truth. There's no doubt in my mind that big companies like Pride and UFC look at their fighters as expendable assests.

I also think alot of what he says is exactly as he describes it. B.S. and fight promoting, he works in 'underground' venues. He has to try really hard to sell, because that's what he gets paid to do. Plus it's also really hard to fight "better fighters" when all of their contracts are exclusive to UFC and he refuses to fight there.

I hope he KO's Baroni.
 
#10 ·
Well the Renzo fight is debatable.. I think the knee to the head was pretty blatant. On the other hand I don't think it was powerful enough to end the fight (but I'm not Renzo so..)

I think there was something going on in that fight. Maybe Renzo did want to quit I mean the guy got kneed like 40+ times in the ribs. Plus when Renzo was leaving for the hospital, I'm sure you noticed how out of breath/weezing he was. Could've been a broken rib?

But who cares. Frank was dominating that fight even while being takendown 3 times. I think Renzo would've continued if he could've (such is the Gracie way), but I also think that the knee to the head was blatant.

I just hope there's a rematch.
 
#11 ·
Geves said:
Well the Renzo fight is debatable.. I think the knee to the head was pretty blatant. On the other hand I don't think it was powerful enough to end the fight (but I'm not Renzo so..)

I think there was something going on in that fight. Maybe Renzo did want to quit I mean the guy got kneed like 40+ times in the ribs. Plus when Renzo was leaving for the hospital, I'm sure you noticed how out of breath/weezing he was. Could've been a broken rib?

But who cares. Frank was dominating that fight even while being takendown 3 times. I think Renzo would've continued if he could've (such is the Gracie way), but I also think that the knee to the head was blatant.

I just hope there's a rematch.
i agree , with basically everything you said. i did read somewhere i think it was the most recent interview that frank wants to fight renzo again in september. and maybe even have another fight at the end of the year.i dont know though. but i really hope he fights him again later this year and get that over with. he also said that now hes with elite xc hes gonna be fighting full time:D
 
#13 ·
Geves said:
Well the Renzo fight is debatable.. I think the knee to the head was pretty blatant. On the other hand I don't think it was powerful enough to end the fight (but I'm not Renzo so..)

I think there was something going on in that fight. Maybe Renzo did want to quit I mean the guy got kneed like 40+ times in the ribs. Plus when Renzo was leaving for the hospital, I'm sure you noticed how out of breath/weezing he was. Could've been a broken rib?

But who cares. Frank was dominating that fight even while being takendown 3 times. I think Renzo would've continued if he could've (such is the Gracie way), but I also think that the knee to the head was blatant.

I just hope there's a rematch.
I agree with most of the things you said except that the knees to the head were intentional. Frank Shamrock might be a prick and a complete jerk but he's never quit or cheated and i doubt that he cheated on purpose. Possibly in the heat of the match he forgot that knees to the head are illegal but i highly doubt that Frank was looking to cheat he's never been like that.
 
#14 ·
bbjd7 said:
I agree with most of the things you said except that the knees to the head were intentional. Frank Shamrock might be a prick and a complete jerk but he's never quit or cheated and i doubt that he cheated on purpose. Possibly in the heat of the match he forgot that knees to the head are illegal but i highly doubt that Frank was looking to cheat he's never been like that.
Yup. If I came off saying that he kneed to the head on purpose despite the rules..I apologize. He meant to knee to the head 3 times obviously. I'm sure he also forgot the rules. Renzo *****ed out period.
 
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