Top 5 Stories of the Week

---

Two of the elder statesmen in mixed martial arts are expected to do battle this summer in England, as Ultimate Fighting Championship hall of famer Ken Shamrock and Ian Freeman have verbally agreed to face one another under the Ultimate Cage Fighting Championships banner on July 27 at Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster.

Contracts have not yet been signed.

Shamrock, 49, began his MMA career in 1993 and quickly became one of the sport’s first stars thanks to successful careers inside both the Pancrase ring and the UFC Octagon, as he defeated the likes of Masakatsu Funaki, Bas Rutten, Dan Severn and Kimo Leopoldo. However, the second half of Shamrock’s fighting career hardly resembled the first, as “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” was defeated in 10 of his last 14 outings. The Lion’s Den founder last competed in November 2010, when he was stopped by Mike Bourke in two minutes at King of the Cage “Platinum.”

Freeman has not competed since May 2008, when he earned a unanimous decision over Paul Cahoon at Cage Rage 26 and captured the promotion’s British light heavyweight title. The 42-year-old made his professional debut in 1999 and his first appearance inside the Octagon came the following year, submitting to a Scott Adams heel hook at UFC 24. “The Machine” owns 15 of his 19 career wins by knockout, technical knockout or submission and is likely best known for handing future UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir his first defeat back in 2002.

The stories of interest on Sherdog.com this week:

Old Timers

Not Keeping Quiet

Back in the Gym

Jawbreaker

Matches Made

Reader comments are active below.