Biography(references)Born into a Mexican-Native family, Frank Juarez was placed in various foster homes, group homes, and crisis centers from the age of twelve onwards. He had many run-ins with law enforcement until eventually he went to live with Bob Shamrock, who with his wife Dede, had taken in thousands of troubled boys . Juarez went to live with Shamrock at his home in Susanville, California, and was officially adopted by Bob Shamrock at the age of 21, and legally changed his name from Juarez to Shamrock thereafter. In the early 1990s, Shamrock served three-and-a-half years in the Folsom State Prison after being convicted of burglary.
Combat ApproachMost of his fighting method rested in Pancrase's indigenous style of shoot wrestling , but he later also learned orthodox kickboxing striking under Maurice Smith, who also taught him to improve his cardiovascular conditioning and natural athleticism. Shamrock's improved cardio, along with an excellent defensive guard work learned from Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, enabled him to survive against superior opponents in order to seek for openings, which he capitalized on with aggressive strikes and submissions. Though not the first one in history, he was considered one of the greatest earlier mixed martial artists, excelling in all the fields of the game.
Fighter Trivia(references)Shamrock was married to a woman named Amy Warren until their separation and subsequent divorce in 2019. Shamrock is a commentator and fighter on the EA Sports MMA video game which was released in 2010. Shamrock is also featured in the award-winning documentary on the sport of mixed martial arts titled Fight Life, released in 2013.
Awards & Accolades
Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling: Interim King of Pancrase (One time)
UFC: UFC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time; first). Four successful title defenses
UFC: Four successful title defenses
UFC: Headlined the First UFC event in Brazil
UFC: Fastest Submission in the History of the UFC Light Heavyweight division (0:16)
UFC: Undefeated in the UFC (5–0)
UFC: Four successful title defenses
Strikeforce: First MMA fighter to win championships in UFC, WEC & Strikeforce
Strikeforce: Strikeforce Middleweight Championship (One time, first)
Strikeforce: Fastest Knockout in Strikeforce History (0:20)
World Extreme Cagefighting: WEC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time, first)
Sherdog: Mixed Martial Arts Hall of Fame
Black Belt Magazine: 1998 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year
Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 1998 Most Outstanding Fighter
Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 1999 Most Outstanding Fighter
Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 1999 Fight of the Year vs. Tito Ortiz on September 24, 1999
Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 1990's Fighter of the Decade
Inside MMA: 2008 Fight of the Year Bazzie Award vs. Cung Le on March 29
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