Sean Sherk eyes Royce Gracie fight in Bellator, negates talk of UFC return

Sounds like the still-bitter Ken Shamrock isn't the only fighter gunning for Royce Gracie.

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight titleholder Sean Sherk would consider ending his combat sports retirement if Bellator matchmakers were interested in pairing him up against Gracie, one of the founding fathers of mixed martial arts (MMA).

"My heart is still with mixed martial arts," Sherk wrote on Facebook. "If given the opportunity to step in the cage one more time against Royce Gracie I'm going to take it. I will train like I always do and I will step into the cage like a man and leave with my dignity intact."

But don't plan on seeing him back inside the Octagon, according to his conversation with Sherdog:

"I don't really have any interest in fighting in the UFC. I think there's a lot more opportunity outside of the UFC organization at this point in time. I think that they have such a strong hold on the industry and such a strong hold on the fighters. I don't want have to be told who I'm going to be sponsored by and make little to no money. I'd rather fight for somebody else and have the freedom to earn sponsorships and everything else that comes my way."

Pretty sure the feeling is mutual after this.

Sherk, 42, called it quits after a split-decision victory over Evan Dunham at UFC 119 way back in 2010. "The Muscle Shark" currently holds a 36-4-1 record with signature wins over Nick Diaz and Karo Parisyan, as well as key losses to Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes.

So, Sherk vs. Gracie ... who wants it?