Frank Shamrock (born Frank Alisio Juarez III on December 8 1972 in Santa Monica, California) is an American mixed martial arts fighter. Shamrock was the first Middleweight champion in the UFC and retired as the 5-time undefeated champion. He has not been defeated since January 1997. Shamrock was also crowned a king of Pancrase, and was awarded the title The Fighter of The Decade[citation needed]. He is the adoptive younger brother of MMA fighter and former professional wrestler Ken Shamrock.
Biography
Childhood
Coming from a broken household, Frank Juarez bounced between various foster homes, group homes, and crisis centres from the time he was 12. He eventually went to live with Bob Shamrock, who had taken in hundreds of troubled boys (including Frank's older adopted brother Ken). Juarez went to live with Shamrock at his home in Susanville, California, and was officially adopted by Shamrock at the age of 21. As his brother Ken did previously, Frank would later formally adopt Shamrock as his surname in tribute to the man who turned his life around.
Pancrase
In 1994, realizing that Frank needed a positive outlet, Bob Shamrock persuaded Ken to train Frank in submission fighting. Despite an early distaste for the violence of mixed martial arts, Frank accompanied his brother, an eminent fighter, to bouts in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and eventually grew to love the sport. He became a member of Ken's training school, the "Lion's Den", and made his debut in the Pancrase organization (of which Ken was champion) in December of 1994.
Shamrock found success in Pancrase, but after Ken departed the company, Frank's relationship with the organization soured. He lost to Bas Rutten in May 1996, and later that year lost to John Lober in Hawaii's Superbrawl. After his loss to Lober and some soul-searching, Shamrock decided to give his all to mixed martial arts.
Within the "Lion's Den", Frank trained up-and-coming stars such as Jerry Bohlander, Pete Williams, and Guy Mezger. He also developed a close relationship with another eminent martial arts personality, kickboxer and UFC superstar Maurice Smith, who trained him in kickboxing. Shamrock went on to compete in the RINGS promotion, as well as in Vale Tudo Japan '97 and UFC Japan. However, in 1997, he had a massive falling-out with Ken and his adoptive father, Bob. They were not on speaking terms until fairly recently, when Bob Shamrock became gravely ill.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Shortly afterwards, Shamrock fought the undefeated Kevin Jackson for the UFC Middleweight title. Jackson had beaten Lober in Extreme Fighting and was an accomplished wrestler. Shamrock proved to be just the match for Jackson, and made him submit to an armbar in 22 seconds to take the middleweight title (which the UFC later renamed the light-heaveyweight title). He went on to defend the belt successfully against Igor Zinoviev, and Jeremy Horn. In October 1998, Shamrock avenged his earlier loss to John Lober by beating him in 7 minutes at UFC Brazil; Lober had made the return match personal by sending dirty e-mails and cursing at Shamrock and his wife, Angelina.
In September 1999, Frank Shamrock defended his middleweight title against Tito Ortiz at UFC 22. It was a titanic back-and-forth battle, with Shamrock winning after an elbow and punches to Ortiz's head after tiring out Ortiz for over 19 minutes. After the match, Shamrock felt he had achieved all he could achieve at that time. He relinquished his title and retired from the UFC. Interestingly enough, Ortiz would win the tournament for the vacated title, beating Wanderlei Silva at UFC 25. Frank Shamrock's dominance of the UFC middleweight division also stirred up an urban legend that the back of the middleweight championship belt (the one that he wore during his reign) had the initials FJS (Frank Juarez Shamrock) engraved on it.
Acting and kickboxing
After his retirement, Shamrock tried his hand at acting, landing a guest role on Walker, Texas Ranger and doing a Burger King commercial. However, he quickly lost interest and returned to his lifeblood, mixed martial arts. He signed a deal to fight jiu-jitsu standout Elvis Sinosic at K-1, the premiere kickboxing event in the world. After yet another tough battle, Shamrock beat Sinosic via unanimous decision. Later, when Sinosic faced Ortiz for the UFC light heavyweight title (formerly the middleweight title) at UFC 32, Shamrock served as guest commentator. On August 11 2001, he took on Shannon Ritch in a kickboxing match for K-1. Shamrock had once trained Ritch, and showed his expertise over his former protege, breaking Ritch's arm and winning the match in 56 seconds with a roundhouse kick.
Return to mixed martial arts
Shamrock continues to remain active in the mixed martial arts scene. He trained UFC welterweight B.J. Penn at the American Kickboxing Academy and helmed his own two promotions, Bushido and ShootBox. His first MMA match since 1999 was winning the WEC Light Heavyweight Championship in under two minutes from Bryan Pardoe in March of 2003.
In December of 2005, Shamrock opened his first school, Shamrock Martial Arts Academy in San Jose, CA. Shamrock trains his students in kickboxing and submission wrestling. He also manages Team Shamrock, his own fight team.
On March 10 2006, in Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie, the first MMA event sanctioned by the state of California, he knocked out Cesar Gracie in 21 seconds.
In June 2006, Shamrock was chosen as a coach for the International Fight League (IFL). Shamrock's team, the San Jose Razorclaws will have their debut fight against Carlos Newton's Dragons on September 23, 2006 at the Mark in Moline, Illinois.
On September 14th 2006, it was announced that Shamrock had signed a multi-million dollar contract with startup MMA organization "The World Fighter" and was said to be scheduled to fight in January 2007.