5 Ken Shamrock fights that never happened in the UFC

Ken Shamrock (R) during the World Grand Prix Semi-Finals: Vetell vs. Nelson
Ken Shamrock (R) during the World Grand Prix Semi-Finals: Vetell vs. Nelson

Ken Shamrock was a true MMA pioneer who competed in the very first UFC event. He was one of the top fighters of his era and also had success competing in Japan. Shamrock was part of the sport’s infancy stages and headlined multiple events in the 1990s.

‘The World’s Most Dangerous Man’ also played an important role in paving the way for fighters to transition into pro wrestling. He left the sport during the peak of his career and found success in the WWE. When he returned, he played just as important a role as his bad blood rivalry with Tito Ortiz was seemingly keeping the promotion afloat.

Shamrock has competed in many big fights during his legendary career. Although he fought many legends and Hall of Famers, there were still many missed opportunities that should've been capitalized on. This list will look at 5 Ken Shamrock fights that never happened in the UFC.


#5. UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie - trilogy bout

The UFC's never-booked trilogy bout between Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie remains a missed opportunity. Both MMA pioneers were the inaugural inductees into the promotion's Hall of Fame and fought each other in the octagon twice.

Gracie got the better of ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Man’ when they were matched up at UFC 1. The event was significant as the Brazilian proved the effectiveness of Brazilian jiu-jitsu against much larger opponents. They met in a rematch two years later, however, this time Shamrock made the necessary adjustments. Despite controlling Gracie for the duration of the fight, it was ruled a draw because there were no judges scoring it.

They ended up competing in a trilogy bout at Bellator 149. The fight took place in 2016, when both were obviously past their prime. Gracie got his hand raised by first-round TKO, which ended the trilogy and their respective careers. Had the trilogy been booked following their rematch in 1995, it could’ve generated a lot of pay-per-view buys.


#4. Former UFC superfight champion Dan Severn - Trilogy

Ken Shamrock vs. Dan Severn was another missed opportunity for the UFC during the promotion's early years. In 1995, ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Man’ submitted ‘The Beast’ to become the inaugural UFC superfight champion. This was significant at the time because it was the first recognized championship in the promotion’s history.

The first fight was a success on pay-per-view as the event generated a buyrate of 240,000. Shamrock was clearly one of the faces of the promotion and was a bankable star in the early years of MMA.

Severn avenged his loss one year later, which was a bout that was heavily criticized. It’s understandable why the promotion decided against booking a trilogy after the rematch had been so negatively received. However, a third fight would’ve made sense considering they had split wins in title fights.


#3. Former UFC title challenger Tank Abbott

Ken Shamrock vs. Tank Abbott is another fight that never came to fruition in the UFC. There were moments where it looked like they’d faceoff in the octagon, but plans would change.

The bout looked like it’d become a reality at Ultimate Ultimate 1996, a tournament featuring former winners and runner-ups. Both men were in the same bracket and set to meet in the semi-finals after they won their first bout.

Abbott knocked out Carl Worsham at 2:51, while Shamrock submitted Brian Johnston with a forearm choke at 5:48. An injury would derail plans for the semi-finals as ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Man’ suffered a broken hand in his fight. As a result, Steve Nelmark stepped in and replaced him.

The promotion never rescheduled the fight, which could have generated interest. Shamrock likely would've been the favorite in a potential bout due to his accomplishments by that point and his submission ability.

#2. UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture

Ken Shamrock vs. Randy Couture is another interesting UFC bout that never happened. ‘The Natural’ made a statement in 1997, when he debuted and won the promotion's heavyweight tournament. Following a TKO win over Vitor Belfort, he defeated Maurice Smith to become heavyweight champion. The title reign would be short-lived as a contract dispute caused him to leave the promotion.

In retrospect, a heavyweight championship bout between ‘The Natural’ and ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Man’ would have been very intriguing. Shamrock was with WWE in 1998, but the idea of him possibly becoming champion could’ve been beneficial for all involved.

‘The Natural’ was 4-0 and wouldn’t hit his stride until the 2000s, while 'The World's Most Dangerous Man' was more experienced. Couture would’ve been a heavy favorite in 2003, but the bout could’ve gone either way in 1998.


#1. UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman

Shamrock vs. Mark Coleman is a UFC fight that could’ve been entertaining both in the leadup and the fight itself.

The best opportunity for the promotion to book the fight was 2000. ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Man’ had left the WWE in favor of a return to MMA. Coleman on the other hand, won the Pride openweight Grand Prix. Coincidentally enough, Shamrock’s return took place on the same Pride event as the Grand Prix. Instead of the two remaining in Pride, they could’ve been pursuaded with a lucrative offer to fight in the octagon.

There was history between 'The Hammer' and Shamrock’s ‘Lion’s Den'. In 1997, Coleman was knocked out by Pete Williams, who trained at 'Lion's Den', so that loss could’ve motivated him to defeat their leader. ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Man’s path to victory would’ve been his submissions as 'The Hammer' had high-level wrestling.

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Edited by Saiyed Adeem Karim