UFC 108: Sean Sherk vs Rafael Oliveira on tap for Jan. 2

by Jesse Holland on Nov 12, 2009 11:26 PM EST

Former lightweight champion Sean Sherk (33-4-1) has been penciled in to collide with promotion sophomore Rafael Oliveira (9-2) at UFC 108, which is slated for the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Jan. 2, as reported by Wisconsin Combat Sports.

A recent shoulder injury forced Sherk out of his 155-pound match-up against Gleison Tibau at UFC 104: "Machida vs. Shogun" at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif., back on Oct. 24.

At the ripe old age of 35, the "Muscle Shark" looked as though he was heading back into title contention with a unanimous decision win over Tyson Griffin at UFC 90: "Silva vs. Cote," demonstrating much improved striking skills.

Primarily known for his overwhelming wrestling attack, Sherk’s new multidimensional approach earned him and Griffin the "Fight of the Night."

Unfortunately, he may have become too reliant on his stand-up and not his wrestling, which was a big factor is his divisional dominance for so many years. That helped Frankie Edgar outpoint him en route to a unanimous decision loss at UFC 98: "Evans vs. Machida" back in May.

Which Sherk shows up for the Oliveira fight remains to be seen.

The "Tractor" had won three straight prior to coughing up a unanimous decision to Nik Lentz in his Octagon debut at UFC 104: "Machida vs. Shogun" just last month. Like Sherk, he is also an aggressive fighter with a strong rate of finishing fights, having stopped 75 percent of his opponents before the final bell.

Finishing the former champ won't be easy -- only two men have been able to do it in 38 attempts.

UFC 108 will produce the next heavyweight number one contender when former Interim champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira takes on surging prospect Cain Velasquez in a bid to determine who will face the winner of Shane Carwin vs. Brock Lesnar at some point in 2010.

As expected, former 205-pound champion, Rashad Evans, will collide with Brazilian slugger, Thiago Silva, in the co-featured fight of the night.

For more on UFC 108 click here.

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Comments

how the mighty have fallen less than 2 years ago sherk was fighting bj for the belt now he’s fighting a guy that was going to fight dan lauzon ….

by Jared on Nov 12, 2009 11:37 PM EST reply actions

Warp-up fight that is.

by Pamirec on Nov 12, 2009 11:40 PM EST up reply actions

What the hell happened to mania? This is gonna take some gettin use ta.
War Sherk

by IrishKev on Nov 13, 2009 7:25 AM EST up reply actions

I need to get used to it....

but I know a little something about websites and its a lot more powerful than the old version

by Robert(1) on Nov 13, 2009 8:25 AM EST up reply actions

sherk can beat the majority of the guys in lw if he was smart

by nelson on Nov 12, 2009 11:52 PM EST reply actions

Would really like to see sherk get back on track here.

by Ortizzz...is back baby!!!!!! on Nov 12, 2009 11:58 PM EST reply actions

for sure… he just needs to go back to his wrestling/ground and pound base and start winning again, hell be back in title contention in no time

by brendan on Nov 13, 2009 12:29 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed. Mini Brock needs to go back to his roots.

by ChrisUSA on Nov 13, 2009 5:10 PM EST up reply actions

Horrible pic of sherk looks like hulks hogans flabby roid chest.

by mma guru on Nov 13, 2009 12:55 AM EST reply actions

If Sherk loses this fight I’ll stab myself in the eye with a ball-point pen.

by HardBoiled on Nov 13, 2009 3:40 AM EST reply actions

NEW LAYOUT?!

what the hell happened to mmamania.com!?

by kdwag on Nov 13, 2009 4:05 AM EST reply actions

New MMAMANIA

How is this site gonna work? I have so many posts in this site since I ever started reading articles on this site. What’s gonna happen now? Now what will happen to our old posts?

by pamirec on Nov 13, 2009 4:19 AM EST reply actions

Hello

We moved over all the stories and comments from the wordpress version of the site. You should still be able to find your previous comments, etc.

by Pablo Mercado on Nov 13, 2009 4:35 AM EST up reply actions

Nice new site but try to keep it clean cut with big photos thats why i ilke this site. KANG RIP

KANG RIP

by Tonyuk on Nov 13, 2009 4:28 AM EST reply actions

Hmmm this is pretty much like bloodyelbow.com. I like that site but I hate having to sign in every time that I get on the page. It’s nice to be able to add a comment without doing so. Regardless, mmamania is still my favorite site all I frequent most of them.

by RyanHobbs on Nov 13, 2009 5:29 AM EST reply actions

**although I frequent most of them

by RyanHobbs on Nov 13, 2009 5:30 AM EST up reply actions

I hope Sean Sherk is able to get back to his wrestling style. As you age, striking isn’t really the part of your arsenal to use. Sean is strong, and his wrestling foundation is solid. At age 35, he should always work on every aspect of his game but in the fights, try to work that wrestling base. WAR SHERK!!

by RyanHobbs on Nov 13, 2009 5:32 AM EST reply actions

any other sites besides bloodyelbow that you know of

by Robert(1) on Nov 13, 2009 8:29 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah pretty much. All that I hear of, I check out. There is probably like 6 or 7 that I check out when I’m on the computer.

by RyanHobbs on Nov 13, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

MITCHELL_PA99

i have been following mmamania for 5 years now… Hardly ever post, just ready the article and respect the arguments that people leave. BUT i am so disapointed that SB nation has taken over this site. The format is now completely rubbish! I just don’t understand why it would change, it was great the way it was. If this is permanent i will be changing to Sherdog for my news. Jesse and Mania keep up the good work! Please.

by MITCHELL_PA99 on Nov 13, 2009 6:52 AM EST reply actions

I got to agree. The new format is kida lame.

by Alpha Male on Nov 13, 2009 7:03 AM EST reply actions

Never mind…finally we can post picture so it’s awesome.

by Alpha Male on Nov 13, 2009 7:07 AM EST up reply actions

Man…… i allready miss the old site… what happend? :(

by Lester The Pimp on Nov 13, 2009 7:51 AM EST reply actions

I don't know but this'll take some getting used to

by McArthur... on Nov 13, 2009 8:04 AM EST up reply actions

Mac, put a picture in your profile so we can recognize more easily that it is you.

by Alpha Male on Nov 13, 2009 8:27 AM EST up reply actions

Telling me, i started posting on Mania coz it was simple. No accounts no emails no nothing just plain post.That’s the reason why i’ve stayed away from all the major forums for so many years from the UG to sherdog to BE, Badlefthook or headkicklegends and etc… Also now someone ganked my name. Oh well.

by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Nov 13, 2009 8:28 AM EST up reply actions

Well at least the name jackers will stop. Though, I agree I don’t post on the UG either b/c of tthe format. It’s gonna take time to getting used to…I guess? S*#ks for your name. I wonder who took it?

by Alpha Male on Nov 13, 2009 8:38 AM EST up reply actions

New Site

This new set up is absolute garbage, mite get used to it, but i doubt it – looks shit, comments look bullshit and just in general not mmamania anymore. whack

by Insain on Nov 13, 2009 8:01 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

How dare you Jesse Holland!

I am more heated than Brett Rogers was last saturday night about this new site.

by roundmoundofgroundandpound on Nov 13, 2009 8:17 AM EST reply actions

Not liking the idea of seeing everyone’s ugly mug

by ~Savage~ on Nov 13, 2009 8:37 AM EST reply actions

Obviously being an editor for BloodyElbow I’m a little partial. But you guys will start to love the format when you realize all the great things it does. Live updating comments make for actual discussions rather than refreshing and trying to follow along. In the comments:
C = jump to next unread comment, X = mark comment as read, Z = Mark comment as read and jump to next comment.

The fanposts and fanshots allow you all to post your own articles that can be read by anyone that visits the site…etc.

Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com

by Brent Brookhouse on Nov 13, 2009 9:31 AM EST reply actions