Dana White isn't ruling out Frank Shamrock returning to the UFC by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Aug 08, 2009 at 1:40 pm ET This content is protected One of the UFC's early superstars could return to the organization. During a UFC Fight Club Q&A session at Philadelphia's Wachovia Center on Thursday, UFC president Dana White didn't rule out the possibility of Frank Shamrock returning to the promotion, as reported by MMAjunkie.com's Dann Stupp in the DaytonDailyNews.com MMA blog. The first-ever champion of the UFC middleweight division (which would later become the light-heavyweight division) hasn't fought in the UFC since announcing a "retirement" nearly a decade ago. White, who recently mended fences with once-sworn enemy Tito Ortiz, said the goodwill tour could continue. "I made up with Tito," White said. "Maybe I could make up with Frank." Shamrock made his fourth title defense and defeated Tito Ortiz at UFC 22 in one of the sport's most prolific fights. However, with the UFC unable to meet Shamrock's contract demands (following the loss of pay-per-view outlets and the subsequent revenue), the UFC allowed Shamrock to leave the organization with no interference if he announced his retirement at the September 1999 event. Shamrock won via fourth-round submission (due to strikes), announced a retirement, but obviously didn't quit fighting. He became the WEC's first light-heavyweight champion in 2003, fought Renzo Gracie under the EliteXC banner in 2007 and later won the Strikeforce middleweight title. However, despite his 23-10-2 record, he's just 1-3 in his past four fights, which included a title loss to Cung Le and a recent TKO loss to Nick Diaz. In the past years, Shamrock has vowed never to fight for the UFC so long as White is at the helm of the promotion. But, Ortiz said the same thing, and he's now back in the UFC fold. Time will tell if the 36-year-old Shamrock follows suit. Frank is diffrent gravy to Tito. Plus he's alot smarter and im pretty sure he doesnt need the UFC anymore.
Thanks for the article Scurla, that's very interesting. What do you think the chances are of Frank returning? I never thought i'd hear Dana say that, but like what happened with Tito, you never know ..
Tito's a bit diffrent. He's not the smartest guy even though he has the bigger head Frank on the other hand is a man that will stand by his principles makes good money outside of MMA and frankly flirts with the sport a fair bit. I dont think he actually needs MMA anymore and does quite well outside of the sport. I doubt well see him back in the UFC.
I agree with what you're saying about Frank, that's the way he's always came across to me as well, as someone that would stand by what they say, and not be afraid to speak out. Do you remember this video Scurla? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXk9FWnJnf4 He addresses Dana towards the end.
Thats my boy!!! :thumbsup Frank is VERY anti Steroids. He exposed his brother Ken and the trash talk between him and Baroni was pretty funny. Anyway as much as i like Baroni Frank is too good to loose to a guy like him. And his word is his bond.
Thought you'd like it! :rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl Yeah, Frank's hilarious, especially in that video! Always been a big fan of Frank, the man's an incredible fighter and also a real character!
And how would this be good for the sport, you stupid zuffa zombie. It is never good when a popular or good fighter signs with zuffa. People like George st. Pierre are disgraces. Besides, Frank Shamrock doesn't like slavery. Who cares what those criminal and bankrupt fertitta's mouthpiece says.
id love to see dana and frank put their old differences aside and have frank back in the ufc. one of my favorites frank is and i hate that he left the ufc like he did but **** happens and people have disagreements.
I wanted him to come back also, but after his loss to Diaz he looked horirible in that fight. He clearly lost a step and Diaz was having his way with him, I'm not sure he is a threat anymore.
Not sure how who they would put him against, he just got destroyed by Diaz. He also co owns Strikeforcr; why would he leave now that they are getting bigger? Strikeforce is the perfect company for Frank at this point in his career, unless he feels that the whole M1 deal is going to go south.
