Ken Shamrock

Shamrock emerged as one of the biggest stars in the history of mixed martial arts, headlining over 15 main events and co-main events in the UFC and Pride Fighting Championships during the course of his career and set numerous pay-per-view records with his drawing power. Shamrock is widely considered to be a legendary figure and icon in the sport of mixed martial arts. Shamrock was named The World’s Most Dangerous Man by ABC News in a special entitled “The World’s Most Dangerous Things” in the early part of his UFC career, a moniker which has become synonymous as his nickname.

Shamrock became known early on in the UFC for his rivalry with Royce Gracie. After fighting to a draw with Gracie in the inaugural Superfight, he became the first UFC Superfight Champion after defeating Dan Severn at UFC 6; the title was eventually renamed the UFC Heavyweight Championship when weight categories were introduced to the UFC. He was also the first foreign MMA Champion in Japan, winning the title of King of Pancrase. During his reign as the UFC Superfight Champion, he was widely considered the #1 mixed martial artist in the world. Shamrock was also ranked by Inside MMA as one of the top 10 greatest mixed martial arts fighters of all time. Shamrock is the founder of the Lion’s Den mixed martial arts training camp. He is also the older adopted brother of former UFC Middleweight Champion Frank Shamrock.

In his mixed martial arts career, Shamrock enjoyed considerable success in professional wrestling, achieving championship success during his tenures with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). Among other accolades, he is a one-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, one-time WWF Tag Team Champion, and the 1998 WWF King of the Ring.

In 2019, Shamrock returned to wrestling when he signed a contract to work as a wrestler at the age of 55. In his first match, he lost to Moose at Bound For Glory. In 2020, he was inducted in to the Impact Hall Of Fame by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at Bound For Glory.

Notable Feuds

vs. Royce Gracie

vs. Tito Ortiz

vs. Dan Severn

vs. Don Frye

vs. Dana White

vs. Vader

vs. Bret Hart & The Hart Foundation

vs. Rocky Maivia

vs. Owen Hart

vs. Billy Gunn

vs. Goldust

vs. Val Venis

w/ The Corporation vs. The Ministry

vs. The Undertaker

vs. Steve Blackman

vs. Chris Jericho

vs. Malice

MMA Achievements

UFC Superfight Championship – Two successful title defenses, Only fighter to ever defend

Longest Fight in UFC History UFC 5 at 36 minutes

UFC Hall of Fame

UFC Viewer’s Choice Award

Ultimate Ultimate 1996 Tournament Semifinalist

UFC 1 Tournament Semifinalist

UFC 3 Tournament Finalist

First fighter to defend a UFC title belt

First inductee into the UFC hall of fame (with Royce Gracie)

King of Pancrase (1994)

King of Pancrase Tournament winner

One successful title defense

Six wins over other Pancrase champions

First ever champion of Pancrase

Pride Grand Prix 2000 Finals Superfight Winner

WMMAA Heavyweight Championship

Mixed Martial Arts Hall of Fame

2000 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards: 2002 Feud of the Year vs. Tito Ortiz, 2006 Feud of the Year vs. Tito Ortiz

MMA Freak.com Hall of Fame, Class of 2013