frank shamrock : SFUK's mixed martial arts reports

Frank Shamrock : I had it tough, coming from a poor background my father left when I was 3 years old, being a troubled, rebellious youth I had led myself into Juvenile hall, foster home to foster home, and eventually ending up in the Shamrock household.

Hakan: When did your life begin to come on track?

Frank Shamrock : When I found Martial Arts, already having endured a tough up bringing I began to develop the discipline & focus.

Hakan: Who were your first influences in the Martial arts?

Frank Shamrock : Bruce Lee & Chuck Norris. Bruce Lee’s philosophies of taking what works adapting it, also staying at the forefront of knowledge has had a tremendous impact on me.

Hakan: What do you mean when you say staying at the forefront of knowledge?

Frank Shamrock : Let’s face it. We live in a World were there is unprecedented opportunities to train. A fisherman in Okinawa had to train with whatever karate master lived near him. He couldn’t go to a Karate lesson one day, a ju-jitsu lesson the next, and boxing gym the day after. We can. And we have fighters who are constantly testing and refining their skills and we have an unlimited pool of knowledge.

Hakan: When did you start submission wrestling?

Frank Shamrock : at 22 years old under my older brother Ken. He groomed me in the art of submission wrestling; I began to fight regularly and became the 4^th King of Pancrase.

Hakan: When did you decide to take the step into limited rules, Vale tudo style matches?

Frank Shamrock : Well it was in 1996, and I actually lost my first bout. It was something new to me at the time. I wasn’t really taking my training seriously at that time. I found that the submission wrestling was very different to the Vale Tudo style. That loss was a wake up call, which actually assisted me tremendously.

Hakan: Assisted you?

Frank Shamrock :I modified my thinking, my approach as well as my goals. I began to study the Martial Arts at a much more deeper level, I avenged my loss, then continued to become the 5 x UFC champion and with no one left to face, I temporarily retired.

Hakan: What was your toughest bout?

Frank Shamrock : Ensone Inoue, it was toe to toe the whole way through.

Hakan: if you could choose any Gracie to fight, who would it be?

Frank Shamrock : Rickson Gracie, simply because he is regarded as the best fighter of the Family.

Hakan: There are rumors of a possible bout between you & Kazushi Sakaraba.

Frank Shamrock : That is true, however Pride want me to face Shuibi Oyama first and Sakaraba is to face K1’s Mikeo Crockof, and then it will be the Showdown.

Sakaraba is the one I’ve always wanted to face.

Hakan: What does Universal Submission Wrestling entail?

Frank Shamrock : My studies began with Ken and then in Japan I branched into Judo, Ju-jitsu, Muay Thai & Sambo.

USW it’s a generic name for what I do. It really has no rules. Wrestling for example has positions such as pinning techniques to score points. Universal submission Wrestling is purely submission and making your opponent tap. Positioning to score points is irrelevant it counts for nothing. It only emphasizes submissions and submission holds.

Hakan: Where does striking come in?

Frank Shamrock : I’d like to make distinction here; there is a difference between submission wrestling and submission fighting. Submission is purely grappling. Submission fighting has striking within in it to end a fight. Universal Submission wrestling caters for both.

Hakan: I understand you have a law enforcement program.

Frank Shamrock : Oh yeah, after looking at restraint tactics and the psychological make up of law enforcement professionals I made a complete analysis through speaking with high ranking officers, I saw critical flaws in certain areas, I put together a program which caters for their specific needs, simple to learn encompasses every thing for a fight, awareness breathing relaxing leverage. Assisting them in fear control and advanced methods of restraint and control.

Hakan Volkan: You talk a lot about the mind & controlling fear, is this an intricate part of your training?

Frank Shamrock : I can’t emphasize the mental aspect enough, a fight looks very physical, but with two equally strong, equally fast & equally trained fighters, it’s more of a chess game. They both know what works & what doesn’t. They both have experience, neither one has the advantage over the other. This is when the fighter with the better mind will win.

I use visualization constantly. I relax completely, and create a mental image of the fight in my mind. I see myself against the other fighter, & I see him coming at me. I mentally visualize myself in every conceivable situation. In the real world I’ve been in many, many matches, it’s true. But in my mind I’ve been in literally thousands of matches. In my mind I’ve been through it all, every move, every attack, every type of fighter, & every situation. I hold these images in my mind and let my instincts take over, and I win.

Hakan: Who would you rank as the best fighters in each division in the world?

Frank Shamrock : Heavy’s Antonio Nogueiro very dangerous and well rounded.

Middleweights (laughs) other than myself Vanderia Silvera

Lightweights too many but if I had to choose one BJ Penn, he has more talent than anyone.

Hakan: What’s the difference between Martial Arts & Mixed Martial Arts?

Frank Shamrock :Nothing absolutely nothing, we’re the same we both strive through mind, body, spirit, developing real ideas. Instead of going to a point-fighting tournament I go to a Vale Tudo match.

Hakan: Many people remain within there style, revere their teachers and never take that step out of their own bubble of training, they never step out of their comfort zone to look at the bigger picture.

When you left, your career excelled beyond even your own expectations. Was it difficult for you to leave Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den, and why choose the new training team?

Frank Shamrock : I found it necessary. In order to be the best at what I was doing. I believed in what Bruce Lee said choosing no way as a way. There’s a lot of weaknesses to work on its like a journey.

In order to be the best no holds barred fighter in the world I had to choose the best team to prepare me for that.

It was difficult leaving the Lions Den; I was on a different path.

Hakan: You recently had your pro kickboxing debut in the prestigious K1. Destroying your opponent in seconds. Do you see yourself continuing in Kickboxing?

Frank Shamrock : No!

Hakan: Why?

Frank Shamrock : Too painful (laughs).

Hakan: How often do you train?

Frank Shamrock : I train every day of my life, & I haven’t reached my peak yet. I’m not saying you should lift weights every day without giving your body a chance to recover, but you should alternate various forms of training: weights, stretching, cardio, calisthenics, plyometrics, practicing your martial arts. They’re all part of your training regime.

Hakan: I hear your coming to the UK, what do you hope to bring to the UK audience and your legions of fans?

Frank Shamrock : I hope to bridge the gap between Martial Arts and mixed martial arts and I hope to advise people on the necessities of different types of training, modern types of training. I will still address the age-old problem off two combatants facing off for survival.

I’ll be revealing some of the latest advances in grappling, nutrition and information & training approaches never yet seen.

Hakan: Where will Frank Shamrock be in 5 years?

Frank Shamrock : I see myself retired from fighting professionally; I see the work I’ve done changing the Martial Arts, and contributing to the growth of people around the world.

I see that the Martial Artists around the World, as very separate many say their system, teacher or style is the best. All I’m doing is showing people another way and it works for me, the proof is evident, and it’s changed my life transforming me into a better person.

Hakan: Thanks Frank & I look forward to seeing you at the biggest seminar to hit the UK.

SEE Full details of The UK Seminar at www.lifeline-eu.com

There are a few places left on Franks Ultimate Seminar to reserve your place call Lifeline on 01753 674 674

17 July 2002