This Week’s MMA Birthdays: Sean Sherk Turns 40

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Former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight titleholder Sean Sherk will celebrate his 40th birthday on Aug. 5.

Sherk captured the lightweight crown with a unanimous decision over Kenny Florian at UFC 64 in October 2006, only to be stripped nine months later when he tested positive for suspected steroid use following a successful title defense against Hermes Franca. “The Muscle Shark” is one of only five men who have held the 155-pound crown, joining Jens Pulver, B.J. Penn, Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson.

A native of St. Francis, Minn., Sherk rose to prominence under trainer Greg Nelson at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy. He made his UFC debut in February 2001 and compiled an 8-4 record in three stints with the Las Vegas-based promotion, losing only to Edgar, Penn, Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes. Sherk last appeared at UFC 119 in September 2010, when he eked out a controversial split decision against Evan Dunham at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. In more than 40 professional appearances, he has never lost consecutive bouts.

Those in MMA celebrating a birthday the week covering Aug. 4-Aug. 10:

AUG. 4
Duane Ludwig (35)
Mitsuhisa Sunabe (34)
Iuri Alcantara (33)
Bernardo Magalhaes (32)
Joe Duarte (30)
Bryan Caraway (29)
Jared Rosholt (27)
Paul Sass (25)

AUG. 5
Sean Sherk (40)
Dustin Pague (26)
Mladen Kujundzic (24)

AUG. 6
Sean Gray (40)
Igor Vovchanchyn (40)
Patrick Mikesz (39)
Tracy Hess (36)
Minoru Takeuchi (28)

AUG. 7
Edwin Dewees (31)
Henry Martinez (30)
Martin Begley (28)

AUG. 8
Yusuke Imamura (37)
Ivan Zagubinoga (29)
Mairbek Taisumov (25)

AUG. 9
Kerry Schall (42)
Kyle Watson (34)
C.J. Keith (27)

AUG. 10
Kevin Randleman (42)
C.B. Dollaway (30)
Joe Proctor (28)

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