Evan Dunham, an up and coming fighter in the 155lb UFC lightweight division, is set to fight former lightweight champion Sean Sherk at UFC 119 on Saturday, September 25th. Dunham, a former wrestler, is looking to make his mark on the lightweight division by beating the former champion Sherk. At 11-0, with wins over notables like Tyson Griffin and Efrain Escudero, Dunham is no slouch and a formidable opponent for someone with Sherk’s credentials.
Sean Sherk is an excellent athlete, with a stellar MMA record, but he desperately needs this win over Dunham to prove that he is still a contender. With his endless cardio, strong wrestling, and quick hands he has a large toolbox of skills to pick from. On top of being talented and well-rounded, Sherk is a veteran in the game and has seen just about everything that another MMA fighter can throw at him. This vast experience will benefit Sherk greatly and could be something that will tip the scales in his favor.
Dunham realizes the danger of Sherk’s experience, and in a recent interview said, “A guy like Sherk, you’re not gonna surprise him, he’s seen it all. So, my goal is to be the better fighter in every aspect. I know that my all-around game is better than Sherk’s.”
Sherk will most likely come out and test the waters with his boxing, and having learned his lesson from both Frankie Edgar and BJ Penn, he won’t stick with that if it’s not working. If Sherk has a tough time on his feet, he will most certainly take the fight to the ground where he is extremely strong from a top-mount position.
Dunham, by his own admission, will just try to be better than Sherk wherever the fight goes, which will most likely be dictated by Sherk. Dunham has a strong MMA skillset, but the question is whether or not it will be enough to overcome the still competitive and ever dangerous Sherk.
Tags: Lightweight, Sean Sherk, UFC
