Ken Shamrock, a veteran in combat sports, refuses to name four fighters for MMA’s Mount Rushmore due to the numerous impactful fighters throughout the history of the sport, and discusses his involvement in the Valor Bare Knuckle promotion and his past experiences with UFC and WWE.
Ken Shamrock, a veteran in the world of combat sports, is well-positioned to determine who should be on the Mount Rushmore of MMA. However, due to his extensive experience in the fighting realm, he refuses to do so. As Shamrock’s Valor Bare Knuckle promotion prepares for its first event since the COVID-19 pandemic, he discussed various topics with MMA Fighting. These topics included his thoughts on competing in bare-knuckle earlier in his career, his role in scouting talent for Valor BK, and his reluctance to name four fighters for MMA’s Mount Rushmore.
Shamrock had dabbled in mixed martial arts bare-knuckle fighting and fought for money in low-key venues, but he never experienced it at a professional level. He expressed his interest in seeing how bare-knuckle boxing has gained more exposure and become a prominent event in society today.
Upon retiring from fighting, Shamrock felt pushed out but still desired to remain involved in combat sports. Being part of the process of building Valor BK revitalized his love for the sport. Although he doesn’t fight inside the ring anymore, he takes pleasure in creating opportunities for others to enjoy what he once did.
When asked about his MMA Mount Rushmore, Shamrock declined to provide a definitive answer. He acknowledged the numerous fighters who played significant roles in the evolution of the UFC, from legends like Royce Gracie, Mark Coleman, Frank Shamrock, and Guy Mezger to other impactful individuals. He emphasized the challenges faced by the earlier generation who fought without established rules or knowledge about their opponents.
Shamrock also reflected on his experience crossing over between UFC and WWE during a financially challenging time. He decided to wrestle to support the fighters, a group home for at-risk kids, and his family’s financial responsibilities. He saw the opportunity to merge both worlds and witnessed the exciting crossover between MMA and pro wrestling.
Lastly, Shamrock expressed his disappointment at the potential closure of Bellator, a promotion he briefly worked with. He viewed its possible demise as a loss, as he had contributed to the organization and made history with his trilogy fight against Royce Gracie.
Valor BK’s upcoming event, VBK 2, is eagerly anticipated, with tickets available for purchase and a live stream scheduled on the official Valor BK website.
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