A lightweight bout between undefeated rising star Evan Dunham and former champ Sean “The Muscle Shark” Sherk is reportedly in the works for UFC 119 on September 25th. MMAjunkie.com was first to report on the planned fight, which is expected to be signed and made official shortly.
Dunham has won four straight fights since debuting in the UFC early last year and seems poised to make a run for the title, while Sherk needs a big win to get his career back on track. The former UFC Lightweight Champion has battled injuries and has fought just four times in close to four years.
Dunham (11-0-0) made his UFC debut at UFC 95 and picked up a first-round stoppage of Per Eklund, but it was his next fight that really opened eyes. He decisioned highly decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Marcus “Maximus” Aurelio at UFC 102 and has since picked up equally impressive victories over contenders Efrain Escudero and Tyson Griffin. The June bout with Griffin was particularly telling, as Dunham dominated the fight and made a big statement at Griffin’s expense. A win over Sherk could place Dunham on a short list of title contenders.
Sherk (32-4-1) tasted defeat just twice in his first 31 professional fights – in bouts with former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes and current champ Georges “Rush” St. Pierre – but has struggled in recent years. He became UFC Lightweight Champion on October 14, 2006, but was stripped of the title following a successful defence against Hermes Franca at UFC 73. Sherk tested positive for steroids and was subsequently suspended. He has since battled injuries that have forced him out of multiple fights and has won just once in his last three fights. He last competed at UFC 98 in a loss to reigning 155-pound ace Frankie “The Answer” Edgar. Sherk turns 37 on August 5th.
UFC 119 is set to take place on September 25th at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)