EliteXC has signed Hall-Of-Famer Ken Shamrock, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" and one of the true MMA legends and biggest pay-per-view draws in any sport, and his son, Ryan, to multi-fight deals. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed.
"We're thrilled to have signed Ken and Ryan Shamrock," said EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw, who made the announcement Monday. "Ken is one of the most recognizable and popular figures in MMA. He has fought the biggest and some of the most important fights in MMA history.
"Ken is responsible for putting MMA on the worldwide map and making it what it is today. I have the utmost respect for all the Shamrocks. Believe me, I have signed fighters with EliteXC and many more in boxing, but I can truly say I'm as excited about this signing as I have ever been.
"I'm realIy looking forward to seeing the Shamrocks in action."
Shaw isn't wasting time putting Ken (kenshamrock.proelite.com), who has defeated the likes of Bas Rutten, Maurice Smith, Dan "The Beast" Severn and Kimo in his illustrious career, and Ryan (ryanshamrock.proelite.com) to work.
Father and son will compete on the same card when they fight on "EliteXC Presents: Cage Rage 25" on Saturday, March 8, at Wembley Arena in London, England.
"I'm totally committed to returning to the cage injury free and anxious about fighting in England for the first time," the older Shamrock said. "It is very exciting for both Ryan and I. We will be making MMA history by being the first father and son to ever fight on the same card.
"This is a great opportunity we are getting with EliteXC. Give me a fight or two and I will be ready to fight anybody."
Ryan (1-0), a promising 5-foot-9-inch, 19-year-old, fights at 135 pounds. In his April 2007 debut, he beat a 31-year-old veteran by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:38 into the first round.
The younger Shamrock has always loved sports and played football and wrestled at East Lake High School in Chula Vista, Calif.
"After high school, I enrolled at a culinary school in San Diego," Ryan said. "But I guess fighting is in my genes because on a train ride with my dad last year to Moline, Ill., for an MMA event, I asked him if he I could put college on hold and go into fighting. My dad never pushed me to get into fighting; it was just something I wanted to do.
"He said he would help me in any way he could, but to make sure I got an education in school. I promised him I would, and here we are.
"I think I am more excited than nervous about fighting on the same card with my dad. If anything, it gives me more incentive. I get the chance to show that there is another Shamrock out there who can compete as well as he can."