Ken Shamrock on Fighting in UFC 1, Losing to Royce Gracie After Not Taking Him Seriously (Part 4)

[@deeray4637]

This is already 1 of the best interviews on Vladtv. What a legend.

[@jameshorton3692]

Big Respect to Ken 🫡🫡🫡 That man deserved a championship run in the WWF! Biggest mistake of the attitude era was not giving him his due! He was a great worker!

[@jeremyseaton4898]

The crowd loved him too. He won the King of the Ring, won the IC title and had both Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart put him over huge in their matches with him. If I recall, Shawn Michaels ended in a DQ, where Michaels got almost no real offense in on him and in the case of Bret Hart, he tapped Hart out, only for the referee not to see it. That was the start of a MAJOR push, having a relative newcomer essentially go over the reigning champions. For whatever reason, his push stalled at a certain point, but he was clearly a huge star regardless. I almost wonder if they slowed his push down to make room for guys like Triple H.

[@lexusbruh904]

Facts! I agree and remember clearly how well he did while in wwf

[@LilBobSab]

Couldn't talk that was his downfall during that era. Rock, Austin, HHH, Taker, Foley solid mid card who can talk that's the issue

[@jeremyseaton4898]

@@LilBobSab I don't think that was a problem, because people loved his whole persona of being a guy on the edge of snapping all the time. One big issue was that he pulled a no-show at an event in the midst of his push, which apparently ended up really hurting him in management's eyes.

[@jeremyseaton4898]

@@texas2547 Truth.

[@markeverett3917]

Ken is a phenomenal storyteller. His interviews are always top notch

[@VirginiaFruitGrower]

Absolutely! I was hanging on every sentence he was saying. His memory is incredible and he has a great way of telling his stories and experiences.

[@Gabe_Lopez]

That's why he was a great pro wrestler because they're storytellers

[@DrNoBrazil]

He should turn pro

[@mikek860]

Ken Shamrock is one of my favorite fighters of all time. His pre fight staredowns are legendary. Never lost eye contact, always looked calm and extremely confident and just had that look like “you’re about to get fucked up.” This was a great interview!

[@bgreen9356]

The fact that Ken and Royce are still good friends till this day is the reason I love Martial Art's. Respect and Honor no matter the background or style. Almost like when Chuck Norris talks about Bruce Lee, nothing but pure respect for the art form.

[@ChampCampMMA]

Hey its Bobby "King" Green....😃👍💥👏

[@johnotoole5786]

Yea im nt so sure thr friends like that i hope they r cuz thr pioneers but lot disrespect moreso from ken

[@ChampCampMMA]

@@johnotoole5786 I really don't know how to take that comment!?

[@ChampCampMMA]

@@johnotoole5786 absolutely no disrespect though...king green is the man...shout out to NY...✌

[@johnotoole5786]

@@ChampCampMMA i just didnt think they were gd friends ken cald him a monkey ass in his videos faked a nut shot i hope they r cuz they r the block foundation to ufc n gracie family is most important family to martial arts. I said nothing disparaging

[@ddavis8988]

It's crazy he name dropped Dean Malenko. Legend in his own damn right.

[@PFlaw317]

Along with his father Boris Malenko

[@christopherhaslon5021]

Man of a 1000 holds the ice man

[@TkKirkland-lm5wv]

Wcw should of gave him a better run. Damn backroom politics

[@homedeezyfasheezy5662]

@@christopherhaslon5021 I loved his theme music as he iceman. Dean was one of the many reasons why that mid 90s WCW cruiserweight division was so special.

[@Philkoehler4]

Exactly what i said

[@Ayyojimi]

I never thought i'd see Ken Shamrock on VladTV this dude really brings in everybody from all walks of life; just makes his brand one the best interviewing platforms ever

[@warking2734]

This guy is the sole reason why I got hooked as a wrestling fan and part of the big reason why I’m wrestling today.

[@oldironsides4107]

Pro wrestling? That’s awesome

[@anthonystark6292]

Yeah a big Shamrock fan. Till I met him and the way I did! HUGE disappointment and very surprised at how he acted!

[@johnsimpson5471]

@@anthonystark6292 explain little pls

[@anthonystark6292]

@@johnsimpson5471 I'm not one to try and publicly bash someone. So I won't go into to much detail. Anyway I come from a big wrestling/martial arts family! For example my father and I were collegiate wrestler. My father wrestled for Oklahoma State. Now I coach highschool wrestling and jiu-jitsu! We as school were at a big meet. Shamrock was there. One of our kids was nationally ranked! He had a good match but lost a really close one! Shamrock is talking to him after words! I see this and think oh sweet he caught Ken's attention! I walk up to listen and pick up my wrestler after a tough lose! Ken tells him he could have won that match etc. It was all pretty good advice. Although when I told my wrestler yeah you could of won but you learn more from a lose than a win. Shamrock pretty much trys to turn it on me! Even though I'm this kids coach! Then makes the comment he loves it when an ex college wrestler trys to compare his career with his, a former champ. In front of everyone trying to publicly get a laugh out of everyone at my expense. Didn't seem like very classy way to go about it. Especially trying to undermine a coach in front of his student! I was super disappointed. I had been a huge Shamrock fan. Since his Japan days!

[@johnsimpson5471]

@@anthonystark6292 thx for sharing this story. I to would of been disappointed in ken over that. In my opinion that's one of the biggest reason he lost. Thinking he already knew everything and was the best at it with very little humility if any.

[@ElVerdeVida]

Thanks to all these guys like Shamrock, many of us had just a great time growing up. Cant forget seeing UFC since UFC1. Thanks Ken for all you gave us.

[@JayHarmony37]

One of my favorite wrestlers Ken Shamrock! This dude was like a super heroe to me as a kid! His rivalry with Steve Blackman was one of the best storylines in wrestling

[@shottybucc4538]

💯 swear dog used to keep the kendo stick

[@BastardX13]

A Shamrock admirer since the beginning. Early to mid 90s, around our training scene Ken Shamrock was mythical. Delightful mma nostalgia from a Legend.

[@caliwrestling2015]

Ken Shamrock the Legend & pioneer in the sport of MMA. Much respect to him, his craft and honor for the sport and competitors. Truly good to see this!

[@dalelusk9540]

Ken we luv ya. Your truly a respectful good man. Enjoyed your career. May you have many enjoyable years.

[@EzEgamer31]

I love seeing ken getting absolutely hyped talking about this. Ken is an a pioneer and the person who got me into ufc fighting.

[@dblstndrd526]

Ken Shamrock was the first that got me into UFC and MMA in general and I'll be a fan of the sport forever. Thanks Ken!

[@homedeezyfasheezy5662]

Even though Ken is a legit bad ass it’s awesome how humble he is in giving props to he lessons he learned from Minoru Suzuki, Masakatsu Funaki and Royce Gracie

[@Cheesusrice69222]

Glad he's not a dickhead anymore

[@cdf2587]

The humbleness he shows! For his opponents and the honesty is unbelievable! I have always liked this guy!

[@jvnbrk]

That fight with Royce birthed MMA...back then other than Ken and Royce nobody knew shit about grappling and mixing it with other styles. It was like karate vs wrestling, or kickboxing vs kung fu, it was style vs style than these two were the first to truly mix the arts. Legends

[@Speaker12311]

Pancrase was doing it before UFC

[@roybeazy88]

This is accurate but your assessment is only true for America….Japan and other countries were already dabbling in the sport.

[@jvnbrk]

@@roybeazy88 that was considered Pancrase, Ken talked about that in this video. It was nothing like UFC 1..you had wrestlers in Pancrase but not jiu jitsu. Different beasts

[@jvnbrk]

@@Speaker12311 that's called Pancrase, Ken just talked about how Pancrase is different than actual jiu-jitsu and mixing it with other styles. Ufc did that first

[@roybeazy88]

@@jvnbrk I’m talking about pride and vale tudo

[@drjones694]

Wow I love this guy, legend His attitude is so good and his spirit seems so happy Great interview

[@jacksdad734]

I like that hes sharp. No CTE in his speech.

[@VirginiaFruitGrower]

@@jacksdad734 sharp, great memory and great story teller

[@thedonofthsht76-58]

Can't wait to see this full interview! The first days of mma in Japan to the first UFC is a hell of a story. NHB Days. Ufc was just a promotion for Gracie BJJ. They didn't plan on having more but it worked out differently

[@Cereal_Killer007]

Same

[@m75s87]

Brilliant interview. Ken's the sort of guy you could sit in a bar with all night and gladly not say a word just listening to all his stories.

[@SeanteBrown]

I’m so psyched for this!!! I grew up watching Ken Shamrock and the lions den fighters.

[@jvnbrk]

The look of joy on Kens face when Vlad said "back then you could kick them while they were down and knock their teeth out" was hilarious @6:50

[@SomeBodyIUsedToKnow8]

6:45

[@jackjill8129]

Testament to how much he loves his career lol

[@EssPhour]

I love Ken, I grew up watching him fight, I was one of those guys always running to Block Buster video looking for the next UFC fight, on VCR, He looks like he is doing great these days, I'm glad to see that.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Great interview. Ken seems very cool, humble, appreciative of all he learned.

[@flyguy7825]

I saw that whole tournament from UFC 1. Royce Gracie pretty much introduced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to American fighters.Ken Shamrock could hold his own against mostly anyone back then in that era big or small,people have to remember there were no weight classes so Royce Gracie who was maybe 160 lb if that was taking out and choking guys literally almost half his size if not bigger and proving to people that size really doesn't matter if you can fight.

[@jamesandrews568]

Was that the one where Dude got kicked in the head and spat out some teeth?

[@SparkyTakedown]

Facts. Credit due to Royce for doing that. He wasn't even know as the family champion. And if anyone could have beat him, it was Shamrock. He had knowledge of stroking, shoot fighting, leglocks and he juiced up! But like he said even underestimated Royce. The rest is history. Credit to Glad for actually interviewing an MMA legend Lol he said Pancreas. He means Pancrase.

[@ChampCampMMA]

I started watching MMA religiously around 2005...started renting the VHF's around 1997...and now I'm a crazed fanatic at 40 years old...lol...🤪🤪

[@flyguy7825]

@@jamesandrews568 yep that's was true that was the first fight.

[@SparkyTakedown]

@@ChampCampMMA 🤜🏽🤛🏽

[@thecoderfromabove4176]

Vlad this such an incredible interview I dont get how I can view it for free!! Thank you so much vlad

[@MM-ig1iv]

Just an amazing interview and time it was! i was just a little kid in 1993 but I still do remember how intense and shocking it was! and it's still exciting watching it now like it was then! and how all the rules changed over time. it will never be the same.

[@berenjervin]

I remember watching UFC tapes when it first came out. I have so much respect for both Royce and Ken, and cant express it. It takes a lot of courage to see someone get their teeth kicked out, yet still get in the ring. I'm glad Royce and Ken talk to each other. Both of these guys are champions among champions. People will still be watching their fights long after they are gone from this world.

[@REECE187Dp]

Watched the whole interview. Still gunna watch every part you put out again. Loved it.

[@jackthepumpkinking2434]

Seems like Ken is in a much better place emotionally, he seems content and happy. Idk if that's the case but we've watched him for over 20 years and I can't remember a time I seen him so happy and talking and not seem agitated. A old lion who knows at one point he was king of the plains.

[@muppetbrother]

I met Ken in a pub in San Diego in the 90s. He was happy to have a photo with me. Humble and a nice human. Thanks boss Ken.

[@JasonRangel229]

KEN SHAMROCK WAS OUR WRESTLING COACH BACK IT 2001 EASTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL. HIS SON WAS MY PARTNER.

[@marcusgarvey5876]

UFC 1 was definitely a paradigm shift in the martial arts world

[@straightlead8]

95 percent of all fights end up on the ground

[@davidcook680]

Shower alot of fakes out there.

[@marcusgarvey5876]

@@davidcook680 the crazy part was a lot of them (us) didn't know how ineffective or limited most styles were/are IMO ufc is responsible for closing down a lot of traditional martial arts schools

[@javajoe_gaming9923]

Porra!

[@LM77va]

0:57 Dean Malenko? Isn't he from WCW?? Dean Malenko introduced Ken Wayne Shamrock into MMA. Whoa

[@Hollywood6IX]

Please keep the MMA legends coming Vlad

[@richpoorworstbest4812]

Always loved ken since UFC 1. I remember about 10 to 12 years ago there was a negative trolling of Ken on sherdog and other forums... Fact is... This guy, along with about 10 to 15 others, made modern MMA. Respect.

[@ClwnJuNkY]

Win or loose . KEN SHAMROCK IS STILL THE MAN .

[@matthewjohnson8594]

OG Ken shamrock. Hats off to you and your brother. ❤💯

[@colt45123]

I had so many ken shamrock action figures when I was a kid.. He was like a super hero to me

[@TkKirkland-lm5wv]

Dean malenko the man of 1000 holds. I actually taught him 999 of them . He know the figure four already

[@shawnduke407]

Played out

[@willcollins5660]

4:25 Punchline of the whole video here. "The determination, not quitting, desire to keep going." He talks about how it was not a test to see if he can win a fight, it was about the desire and heart to keep going that mattered. Pretty much to sum it for anybody in life that is thinking about quitting in anything.

[@kenterminateddq5311]

I won't lie: If I was Shamrock, I would underestimate Royce too. He looks like a regular judo rookie. The first UFC Hall of Famer taught a valuable lesson: You can be average-looking and be successful in MMA. God bless you, Royce. God bless you, Kenny.

[@julian_arness1320]

God bless you, Kenny

[@Duct_Tape_Boyz]

Vlad this was dope to see and listen too. Please ask more UFC legends to speak and share their stories. Thank you to everyone involved 🤙

[@luisarce6234]

I agree but not enough views for a glad interview

[@drunkenmmamaster419]

Vlad an undercover fed

[@Duct_Tape_Boyz]

@@luisarce6234 you're probably right. Sucks that it all comes down to views these days and not just a conversation.

[@jking5772]

Ken is great at doing interviews. Would love to hear the entire interview

[@draculasneeze6681]

"I'm goin' to Japan man!" Great early days. Great to see Ken is still there in mind and body. Japanese respect that "never quit - keep going" mindset - in Japanese it's called "Ganbatte". Part of history, and still a humble guy.

[@raulamazias730]

Absolutely nothing but freaking LEGEND 💯🇺🇸👑

[@MichaelRyanUK]

I love Ken’s energy and enthusiasm 🥊

[@SimplyJohnleeJohnson30924]

Ken,you have to understand this guy's fight knowledge, he is one of the most wisest people in the game,to get able to be trained by this legend would be incredible, thanks ken.

[@alexquintana1031]

Legendary..I love Kens stories about the Dark Ages and how he got scooped up by the Japanese circuit….paving his own road with blood and sweat🔥

[@tazcastellano8076]

Like him or hate him, there’s no denying his influence and talent blended with sheer determination and hard work. Keep rocking Ken👍🏽

[@jeradbennett5030]

What a fun interview, I'm happy I stayed for the whole thing.

[@FightNightPicks]

Old school UFC fights were so wild, go back and watch some of the promos as well. Howard Howard..."if you're coming on, come on" 🇨🇦😂

[@tampabless]

The legend Ken Shamrock! ☘️ 1 bad dude and the head of 1 of the original fight teams, Lion’s Den. Watch his episode with Dr. Hightower getting chiropractic work. Dude’s pain threshold is off the charts. Zero reaction. Just kept telling his story like nothing was happening.

[@SurferWilly]

Both the Shamrocks seems very likeable. I hope they reunited

[@trxxxplex]

Finally a good interview

[@HGB1532]

Rob DeNiro and Sylvester Stallone had a baby

[@greycat111]

Omg Ken Shamrock!!! From Pancrase, Ufc, WWF, PRIDEFC, oh man what a legend

[@daver7867]

respect Ken...well spoken and very humbling....the man

[@benduncan6256]

Ken went over to professional wrestling right as he could’ve grown into a true, well rounded mixed martial artist. Then he came blew his knee out and his body started breaking down shortly after he returned to MMA. We never got to see what he could’ve been as a fighter in peak physical condition in the modern era.

[@johnknight8540]

Those Pancrase bouts between Shamrock and Bas Rutten were good asf . He would be a really good interview too.

[@danlord7717]

Ken mixing his new album, I see.

[@marcusgomez3307]

UFC1 was such a fun time. i absolutely loved those days

[@homedeezyfasheezy5662]

I can remember those commercials they’d play non stop on the ppv channels. The concept was so different you could help but stop and be in awe.

[@peaceprayer595]

Ken has always been so articulate. Great interview!

[@elBighead208]

I love Ken Shamrock he was in tremendous shape back in the day and definitely left his mark in ufc

[@ms-iz9ye]

The desire to continue to want to learn and not quit is very old school martial arts training.. it happened to me at 7 years old in ‘93 and it’s gratifying to show and prove that you’re serious about wanting to learn.. it’s common knowledge nowadays but in the 90’s and earlier that was how the real teachers judged their students and their desire to want to learn.. no matter what country you were in to want to study martial arts. Same with my instructor who learned in Okinawa during Vietnam.

[@countremy730]

It's good to hear all the fighters talk about how they heard about the tournament and how they got involved. It was by design that Royce showed up because was one of the youngest Gracies and all the others were better than him, supposedly. Rickson still has legends associated with his name.

[@rickyrichreacts9667]

Bro if he wanted, Ken could of been the best bodybuilder in history. He had it all.

[@michaelarchangel1514]

Thnx champ Ken really appreciate it 👊✊ LEGEND

[@jcdova29]

Ken is a pioneer of mma. Yes there were others that came before him but Ken was a total bad ass. Win or lose he was exciting to watch.

[@marcusjnewtonz28]

People talk so much shit about Ken, but watching him through the years, the dude definitely has a heart and is an absolute legend imo.

[@ELSANCHONEGRO928]

need royce interview asap more of ufc og's

[@MusicforMe123]

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what your profession is... Hard Work pays Off!!! Love him or hate him Ken Shamrock deserves all the success he gets cause the man never quits.

[@jacksdad734]

Absolute legend. God bless him.

[@arkalonalan]

Used to hate Ken Shamrock but it's come full circle. Today I'm I'm a fan.

[@theDavidChannel1]

Initially Ken protested that loss because Royce used his Gi jacket to choke him out, yet Ken wasn't allowed to wear his wrestling shoes. Ken felt he used it as a weapon.

[@gunchief0811]

I met Him When I was in the Marines and was in the Martial arts community in the MCMAP program. I'm a big fan of the UFC Dana White has done a great job overall of building that combat sport in the mainstream to develop world-class fighters. Ken Shamrock being one of the Legends of the sport. he's for sure O.G.

[@ox4556]

Ken is a LEGEND!!! He and Bas Rutten are 🐐

[@guttercreekofficial1596]

Great interview....Shamrock was all class here....awesome 👏👌

[@watamutha]

I love how he sounds like a little kid retelling his story.

[@alexotero3953]

Very humbled. A true martial artist

[@cmbjive]

Ken Shamrock looks so different. Looks like a retired Irish Mafioso now. Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Royce Gracie, and Tank Abbott...ah, the good ol' days.

[@ELHipnacio]

Person: gives amazing passionate life story Vlad: OK...

[@dockey6942]

Shamrock and Don have always been my favorite

[@heavybrandpodcast]

Shoutout to Shamrock and the good ole days of fights 😢

[@downey416Toronto]

god bless him... good stories

[@monkeyrook]

Love hearing these backstories

[@DaDaLFG]

Ken Shamrock is a golden age legend!

[@squadgeman3247]

Much love for Ken. He was the man back in the day.

[@jthamilton9083]

Kens admittedly saying he trained his fighters like spec ops operators. Mental fortitude and no quit. Very cool!!

[@D96]

Ken Shamrock is like the real life Punisher lol

[@El_hombre_malo]

Ken shamrock is a legend. We all knew his name.and that Royce fight was good. Ken was game

[@lorettadiggs879]

Ken Shamrock was and is a real ass kicker. Loved to watch him fight and wrestle.

[@perfectsplit5515]

He was right about Royce not appearing to be intimidating. When I bought the Black Belt Magazine issue covering UFC 2 (after my friend told me that GJJ beat everyone else in a no-rules fighting tournament), I was floored to see Royce’s picture for the first time. He looked like a regular guy, and yet was the best fighter in the world! He looked nothing like Jean-Claude Van-Damme or Bolo Yeung, and yet was the world’s best fighter in real life!

[@JoseDiaz-pc7bw]

What a awesome guy. True pioneer of the sport. He's a Legend..

[@babagadoush1]

Super cool hearing from the old school boys!!!! Paved the way!

[@floydpattersonii4996]

Love Ken S. He's an old man now. Time to watch the grandkids

[@bigaktheprize1150]

I still pull out the Ken Shamrock ankle lock when I gotta put a punk in his place

[@michaelpluznick]

Fantastic video Thanks so much!

[@alp852]

This dude is really animated and a great storyteller.

[@alex_p90]

Hi

[@Mothman308]

Props to Glad for this interview!