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Sean Sherk finally returns to the cage.
After what has been a very tumultuous 10 months, Sherk has a chance to prove that he is still one of the top fighters in the UFC. In order to accomplish that, he must defeat a man many people believe is one of the top five pound-for-pound fighters in the world in BJ Penn.
What makes the matchup even more interesting is that Penn wears the title Sherk never lost. Due to a positive test for steroids, Sherk had the UFC lightweight championship stripped from him. Penn won the vacant title with a dominating submission victory over Joe Stevenson in January. To this day, Sherk maintains his innocence from the steroid allegations.
We recently caught up with Sherk to discuss a number of subjects including the positive steroid test, his thoughts on the fast approaching matchup with Penn, and who he thinks the other top lightweights in the world are.
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| Sherk wants his belt back. (UFC) |
Sean Sherk: I think it will be great fight. You have two of the best lightweights in the world, and you have two guys that really don't like each other so that always makes for a good fight.
Q: When you say, "two guys that don't like each other a lot," does that stem from Penn's comments earlier this year after the positive steroid test?
SS: He's been talking trash about me ever since the whole nandrolone (steroid) thing so that's when it started -– right around the whole nandrolone deal.
Q: Is that when Penn publicly went against you in the steroid issue when you maintain your innocence?
SS: Yes -- he doesn't have the work ethic I do. He doesn't understand it is possible to look the way I do without taking any substances.
Q: You're very well known for your work ethic and your ability to go five rounds. Penn had been known to tire in the later rounds of fights. Do you feel that will play a major role in the fight?
SS: Actually, I want to get out of there as fast as possible just like I'm sure he does. I'll be looking for my opportunities, and if it goes into the later rounds, that's fine by me. I'm not scared of the fourth and fifth rounds like I'm sure he is.
Q: When BJ Penn grabbed the microphone after winning the fight with Stevenson and said, "Sean Sherk, you're dead," what were you thinking as you entered the cage to confront him?
