With the rise in purses and competition in the world of MMA, athletes’ preparations have become ever more complex and painstaking. Anyone disputing a belt or hoping to go far needs to subject one’s self to intense physical preparations and be around the best training partners possible.
It is with that in mind that Sean Sherk maintained his place as UFC lightweight champion for nearly two years and racked up a record of 31 wins and two losses. On May 10th, in Las Vegas, the Minnesotan will try to recover the belt he lost, not in the octagon, but in the laboratories, as he was caught for drug use at UFC 73, handing the crown over on a tray to BJ Penn, who snatched it up by beating Joe Stevenson at UFC 80.
In returning to the top, the wrestler maintains his laborious training routine and has been calling up the best training partners around to help him especially where his adversary is strongest: in Jiu-Jitsu. According to statements made by his coach Greg Nelson to British tabloid The Sun, the world lightweight champion in 2007, Lucas Lepri, has been heading some training sessions with Sherk and three-time World Champion Marcinho Feitosa will soon help out as well.
“He has started his 12-week training camp, during which he puts it into full throttle. He has two or three training sessions a day and trains with Lucas Lepri, the 2007 Mundials World Champion and 2008 Mundials Silver Medalist. Marcio Fietosa is coming in, along with other top-level BJJ competitors and fighters throughout the training camp. In addition, he is continuing to hone his striking skills and wrestling skills, especially his upper body Greco,” declared Greg Nelson.
