Outstanding Sherk Interview

[rivethead]

Sean Sherk: "I've Got A Bigger Heart"
by Ariel Helwani, MMARated.com



Ariel Helwani: Sean, we’re just a few days away from a fight that I'm sure has been on your mind for many many months. How does it feel to know that you're finally going to get back in the Octagon and do what you do best?

Sean Sherk: It feels good. I don't like sitting on the sidelines. I like the training, I like to be in the mix, I like to diet…So it feels good to finally get back in there. It'll be ten and a half months since my last fight. I don't think (the layoff is) going to be an issue. Some people think that will be an issue, but I've been competing my whole life and you don't forget things like that overnight.

Ariel Helwani: You are going into this bout as an underdog. Is that a weird position for you to be in?

Sean Sherk:. You know, to be honest with you, I like it. I like being the underdog, (it) allows me to kind of skate under the radar a little bit although there's no pressure on me, there's no expectations. BJ (Penn)’s got all that. BJ’s got all the expectations, BJs got this pressure, he's expected to win. I'll let him deal with the pressure. I get to go out there and just concentrate on fighting.

Ariel Helwani:. The last time we saw you guys in the Octagon together was at UFC 80 after Penn defeated Joe Stevenson to capture the belt you once held proudly and all he had to say to you was, ‘Sean Sherk you're dead.’ What were you thinking when he said that in front of a live crowd?

Sean Sherk:. It was a pretty thuggish comment to make. It’s not (a) real professional way to handle yourself as a world champion. It really doesn't mean anything to me. It’s easier said than done. If he wants to beat me, he's going to have to train hard, he's going to have to get in that cage, and he's going to have to perform come fight night. I'll be ready. I train hard, I always train hard and I trained even harder for this fight. (I’m) more focused just because of everything that has happened leading into this thing. We'll let the cards fall where they may and I think I'm going to win this thing, man. I've got no doubts in my mind that I'm going to walk home with that belt come May 24th.

Ariel Helwani:. Penn has been very outspoken when the topic of your suspension, your appeals and steroids in MMA has come up. Basically, he’s not very happy with you right now. What do you think about all the stuff he has said leading up to the fight?

Sean Sherk:. To be honest with you, I don't even know what he's talking about. I don't really read up or follow any interviews online or anything, so I don't know what kind of comments he's made as far as him having a beef with the way I handled my situation. I didn't take Nandrolone so I mean everything I did was pretty much all innocent. I've passed three lie detectors tests and then explaining all the mistakes that the California (State Athletic) Commission made in the process and the testing facility, I felt like there was plenty of evidence there to prove that I hadn't taken anything. To be honest with you, I think BJ wants to keep bringing up that steroid stuff because maybe he feels like that's what brings legitimacy to the belt that he's got. I don't think he deserves it. I think that if you want to be the champion, you've got to beat the champ. (That) belt was taken from me for something that I didn't do. He wants to keep sticking the steroid stuff in my face, but for him to be talking about me like that, it’s kind of a hypocritical because I know he's got some habits, some professional habits that professional fighters shouldn't have. And he knows it just as well as I do, so he should maybe take a look in the mirror and think before he speaks.

Ariel Helwani:. At UFC 80, you received a very harsh reception from the Newcastle crowd. Are you surprised with how quickly everyone turned against you?

Sean Sherk:. People think I'm guilty right out of the gate. There's always (been) some accusations that I was taking steroids even before the Nandrolone thing happened. I know I didn't take it, and people that are loyal to me, the people I train with, my sponsors, my loyal fans, they know I didn't take anything and that's really all that matters to me. Everybody else is just a fair-weather fan. They love you when you're on top, and they want to down you when you're not. I've developed some really thick skin since I've been fighting professionally and I know that if you're in the public eye, not everyone's going to like you. It’s not the end of the world. Life goes on.

Ariel Helwani:. Internally, are you content with the way everything ended with the California State Athletic Commission?

Sean Sherk:. No, I'm not happy with what happened with the Commission at all. I know my case was not handled properly and I wasn't given a fair opportunity to defend myself. I felt like I had more than enough evidence to prove myself innocent, so I'm not happy with the way the case played out at all. (But) I don't lose any sleep over it anymore. I have a new goal in mind. I want to win that belt back. That's the only thing I think about and everything else is just on the back burner for the time being.

Ariel Helwani:. When you appeared in the broadcast booth, so-to-speak, alongside Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan to call the UFC 80 main event the topic of steroids and why you you weren't defending your belt was never brought up. A lot of people, including myself, thought it was strange that no one gave an explanation as to why Sean Sherk was not defending that belt. Did you think that that was the right way to deal with the situation?

Sean Sherk:. To be honest with you, I didn't even think about it. I think all the fans pretty much knew what was going on anyway. Maybe they just didn't feel the need to get me on the big screen and explain to billions and millions of viewers why I'm not defending my belt. The UFC knows what they're doing, look what they've done with this sport, you know, they are the reason why this sport is where it’s at, so I can't second-guess the way they do things.

Ariel Helwani:. Are you happy with the way the UFC has dealt with your situation in terms of eventually having to strip you of the title and now giving you the title shot right off the bat?

Sean Sherk:. Yeah, definitely. Dana handled this thing real, real well. He's supported me from the beginning and same thing with Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta. They supported me since the beginning and they believe I didn't take anything. So, when Dana called me and told me he had taken the belt, you know, basically he's got to stay consistent with what they've done in the past. They can't show more favoritism towards one fighter than they have towards the other fighters which totally makes sense. I can't really complain. I'm real happy with the support I've gotten from the UFC.

Ariel Helwani:. Are you still planning on never fighting again in the state of California?

Sean Sherk:. I've got no intentions on it, no. I don't like the way they run things. I mean, I just don't like the way they handled not only my case, but with the few times I fought there (in the past), they tend to make things a little more difficult on the fighters and I don't really think they treat us very well.

Ariel Helwani:. And how about now with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, how have they treated you leading up to this bout?

Sean Sherk:. They hit me with a couple of random drug tests, which isn't a big deal. I'd like to get that stuff out of the way anyway so now there's no question for anybody else out there that might say I'm taking stuff. I've taken two test, in the last ten weeks and, they just left me alone.

Ariel Helwani:. Before I let you go, Sean, we've heard every single reason under the sun as to why BJ Penn is going to defeat you. Well, I'd love to give you the forum to tell everyone why Sean Sherk is going to defeat BJ Penn on May 24th.

Sean Sherk:. Because I work harder, I'm more dedicated and I've got a bigger heart.

Ariel Helwani:. Do you expect this fight to go the distance?

Sean Sherk:. I want to get out of there as soon as I can. I'd like to get in and out of there as fast as possible. I've got a great game plan and I'm sure BJ thinks he's got a great game plan too so we'll just get out there and we'll both try to execute our game plan and see who's the better fighter.

source: mmarated.com

[tempest929]

Good read....rep'd.

Since Sherk is such good friends with Hughes and I'm sure they've talked about this fight, and since many people think that Hughes' takedown attemps were wearing BJ out in their second fight, I see Sherk shooting in as much as possible in the first couple rounds. Not so much that he wants to be on the ground with a fresh BJ, but that he wants BJ to blow all his energy trying to defend the takedowns. I wouldn't be surprised if in the first couple rounds he successfully took BJ down and then stood right back up so he could try again. Honestly, I think thats the only way he's gonna win....make BJ tired from constant takedown defenses and then do some of his "exciting" GnP in the latter rounds.

[Ramma]

I still believe Sherk is telling the truth.. I don't think he took steroids.

[TriangleChoke]

Originally Posted by Ramma

I still believe Sherk is telling the truth.. I don't think he took steroids.

it's possible that the CSAC accidentally contaminated his urine sample. it's a shame because we will never know the truth 100%

[earle]

Originally Posted by Ramma

I still believe Sherk is telling the truth.. I don't think he took steroids.

I think he's telling the truth about Nandrolone, but I've always thought he was on Growth Hormone, and I still do.

[Doggage]

Good read, I have no hatred towards either of these guys, and I hope it's a damn good fight. I actually wouldn't mind seeing Sherk win, I just don't expect him to. I think he needs to take Penn down as quickly as possible or BJ will make him pay in the stand up. I think Sherk has the talent to avoid BJ's submissions off his back, so we'll just wait and see what happens.

[Lord Faust]

If Sherk actually stops BJ, I'll be out of reasons to dislike him. Even a decision win, as long as it's entertaining is fine by me. Effective ground and pound is a thing of savage beauty; lay 'n pray is just tedious to watch.

I expect both of these guys are going to give us our money's worth. If for no other reason than their own professional pride. I gotta admit, though, Sherk is starting to win me over. The more I hear about the CSAC the more I tend to believe him... Anyone got a link to the legal info detailing Sherk's claims that the CSAC mishandled the evidence?

[pa99fighter]

Originally Posted by Ramma

I still believe Sherk is telling the truth.. I don't think he took steroids.

thank you. I would rep you if I could. thank god for a quality post before people make stupid steroid jokes and ruin the thread

[captonion]

Very classy fella!Way more so than Penn any day.

[HammerFist]

Yea il be rooting for Shark, B.J gets on my nerves like a whining woman, needs to know when to shut his mouth.
If Sherk passed 3 lie detector tests i think people should cut him some slack, i never used to like him, but have gained lot of respect for him in the way he has handled his situation.