When you think of MMA fighters who have fought far, far, just depressingly far past their prime, Ken Shamrock is probably the first guy that comes to mind. He’s 52 years old, for starters, has gone a whopping 2-7 over the past ten years, and has been stopped by first round (T)KO in every last one of those losses. Hell, even the wins he managed to pick up in that time period came over a man who died of heart disease later that year (R.I.P. Ross Clifton) and a sub-.500 journeyman who gave so little of a sh*t that he tried using a barrel roll as an offensive attack during the fight.
Did I mention that Shamrock also tested positive for steroids following his win over the guy who later died? Because that’s kind of relevant to today’s story. You see, following Shamrock’s latest money grab trip to the cage — which saw him TKO’d by Royce frickin’ Gracie at Bellator 149 — it was revealed that “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” had been relying on a little extra something to presumably increase his “danger” factor. Specifically, the synthetic opioid methadone and the steroid nandrolone were found in his pre-fight urine test, effectively putting a stamp on his attempts to appeal the loss in the typical Shamrock fashion.
Ol’ Shammy did attempt to appeal the positive test, however, claiming it to be the result of medication he was taking at the time for “swollen pituitary glands in the brain.” Why anyone would continue participating in a combat sport with swollen *anything* in the brain is a mystery to me, but nonetheless, that appeal was also denied, forcing Shamrock to end his legal battle and settle with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on an acceptable punishment. As it turns out, that punishment may have effectively ended his MMA career.
MMAJunkie passes along the word that Shamrock has not only been hit with a $2,500 fine for his failed test, but has had his combative license revoked in the state of Texas as per his settlement. What does this mean? Well …
Subsequently, his license revocation was noted on the Association of Boxing Commissions’ administrative database, which tracks fighter suspensions. Given that ABC member commissions generally honor suspensions issued by other member commissions, Shamrock is unlikely to be licensed within North America, but he could fight overseas where the sport isn’t formally regulated.
It’s kind of fitting that a guy who has been unable to bow out of the sport respectfully despite the repeated pleas of his friends, family, and fans would end up being forced out of it, but still, it’s a shame to see any Hall of Famer end his career on such a dour note. Have we finally seen the end of “The World’s Most Dangerous Man”? I sure hope so, but considering that Shamrock is still free to pursue fights overseas (lord knows how the Japanese love themselves a freakshow fight) and will be eligible to apply for another license in Texas on March 4, 2017, don’t be surprised if you see ShamWow pop up on a Rizin card to get torched by Baruto in the near future. Sad yes, but surprised? Not so much.
