Though I never really watched MMA in the 1990’s from what I remembered Shamrock was regarded as the GOAT at that time. I know UFC was well behind boxing and even WWF at that time, and there is much more depth nowadays and maybe all the top guys now would have beaten peak Shamrock, but it’s like he never even existed. I wonder how many modern fans have even heard his name.
I don't think Ken Shamrock was ever considered the "GOAT" of MMA. Their wasn't even a GOAT in the 90's MMA it was too early in the evolution of that sport. But if their was I dont think it would be Ken Shsmrock. I think its only the casual MMA fans who dont know his name, but to hardcore fans he is not forgotten. He was one of the fighters that brought MMA from obscure towards mainstream, along with a few other fighters.(Royce Gracie, Bas Rutten, Kazushi Sakuraba, Don Frye, Frank Shamrock, Dan Sevren, Igor Vovchanchyn,ect) These were the first wave of top fighters that would then lose to the second and third wave of fighters that would then take MMA to the mainstream. Shamrock was a popular fighter. Probably one of the most popular MMA fighters of early to mid 90's. At least in north America. I knew him from pro wrestling before I really started watching MMA. He was also known "the worlds most dangerous man". Good gimmick.
I think the long string of losses at the end of his career skews his reputation. He lost 12 of his last 16 fights which spans 16 years! He fought on way too long.
That and his ego/attitude. Prime Shamrock was a damn good fighter though even if inferior to his adopted brother Frank.
Shamrock was never regarded as the "GOAT." In fact, his foster brother is considered by most as the superior fighter. Also, he is still well-known among MMA fans who did not just tune into MMA the last decade. Could he be better remembered? Perhaps, though I think his name recognition is precisely commensurate with his achievement.
