Former lightweight champion Sean Sherk (33-4) will attempt to get one step closer to reclaiming his contendership status for the 155-pound title when he collides with Gleison Tibau (17-7) at UFC 103, scheduled for the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 19, according to MMAWeekly.com.
Sherk failed to reclaim his title against BJ Penn at UFC 84: "Ill Will" back in May 2008. It was his first fight since being stripped of the title and suspended for six months because of a positive test for steroids that he refuted vigorously.
At the ripe old age of 35, the "Muscle Shark" rebounded with 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 Tibau fight remains to be seen.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu wizard is also coming off a decision loss (split) after Melvin Guillard took him the distance at the TUF 9 Finale less than a month ago.
It snapped a two-fight win streak for the Brazilian, who's been up and down since his debut against Nick Diaz at UFC 65 way back in November 2006.
The streaking American Top Team (ATT) product followed the Diaz loss by winning his next three fights inside the Octagon before dropping consecutive bouts to perennial division threats Tyson Griffin and Joe Stevenson.
Tibau could make a major statement with a win against the former champ.
For more on the still-developing UFC 103 fight card that includes possible bouts of Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg and Martin Kampmann vs. Mike Swick, as well as Hermes Franca vs. Tyson Griffin, click here.
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