Ken Shamrock on Pre-UFC Career: Japan as the Key to His Improvement

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Ken Shamrock, a legendary figure in mixed martial arts, shared insights from his early days in the sport, a time when MMA was still in its infancy. Before the UFC became the household name it is today, Shamrock honed his skills in Japan, fighting for the promotion Pancrase. This period of his career saw him traveling back and forth between the United States and Japan, as he sought out the necessary training to excel in the evolving sport of MMA. His efforts during this time were not in vain, as he would go on to become a celebrated UFC fighter and be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2003 alongside Royce Gracie.

During a Q&A session at Monopoly Events’ For The Love of Wrestling, Shamrock delved into the challenges he faced finding proper training facilities in the United States. With no established gyms that combined boxing and wrestling, or what we now know as MMA, Shamrock made the decision to extend his stays in Japan. He described a routine of flying to Japan, training for a month, competing in a fight, and then returning home for a month before repeating the cycle. This rigorous schedule was a testament to his commitment to mastering the sport.

Ken Shamrock’s perseverance and dedication to training in Japan paid dividends, as he emerged as one of the most formidable fighters of the 1990s. His time spent with Pancrase not only allowed him to develop his skills but also introduced him to two legends of the sport, Masakatsu Funaki and Minoru Suzuki. Shamrock expressed his admiration for both fighters, acknowledging the significant impact they had on his career. He credited them with teaching him various submission techniques, including heel hooks and armbars, which sparked his passion for MMA.

The influence of Pancrase on the development of MMA is a topic of discussion among enthusiasts of the sport. Some argue that the promotion’s contribution to the evolution of MMA is not fully appreciated. This raises the question of whether Pancrase deserves more recognition for its role in shaping modern mixed martial arts.

Pete Braeburn
Pete Braeburn
Pete Braeburn is a fantasy sports contributor for King Fantasy Sports and an MMA news writer for SportsHQ.net

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