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Frank Shamrock Workout Pics

Posted 21 Mar 2009 in Cesar Gracie, Cung Le, Frank Shamrock, Nick Diaz, San Jose

Photo credits: Matt De La Rosa of PROMMA. More pics here

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Three-time world champion and mixed martial arts (MMA)
legend, Frank Shamrock (24-9-1), welcomed the media to his new Shamrock Martial Arts Academy in San Jose during an open workout on Wednesday, March 18, three and a half weeks before his highly anticipated showdown with bitter rival Nick Diaz (18-7, 1 NC).

The former Strikeforce and UFC world middleweight champion, who has been referred to as “the closest thing that mixed martial arts has to Muhammad Ali,” wooed the press with his western boxing regimen and, soon after, with his magnetic personality, while fielding a host of questions.

Shamrock and Diaz haven’t masked their resentment for one another during the last several weeks while preparing for their matchup at San Jose ’s HP Pavilion, the same arena where Shamrock knocked out Diaz’s trainer, Cesar Gracie, in 21 seconds on March 10, 2006.

The two fighters exchanged multiple barbs during the kickoff press conference held by SHOWTIME and Strikeforce at Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 12^th.

The bout represents the first appearance of 2009 for both fighters. The 36-year-old Shamrock is looking to regain his footing amongst the sport’s best after suffering a broken arm in his championship bout with undefeated Cung Le on March 29, 2008.

Diaz is aiming for his fourth consecutive victory, following a flawless run in 2008. The 25-year-old Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt, who hails from Stockton , Calif., stopped all three of his opponents last year.

Diaz and former Strikeforce lightweight champion, Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez (14-2), will host a joint media day at Fairtex Muay Thai Fitness in San Francisco next Friday, March 27, at 1 p.m.

The 26-year-old Melendez will look to reclaim his title from Josh “The Punk” Thomson (16-2),
the man who seized it from him last year, in a five-round title fight on the April 11^th card.

Strikeforce “Shamrock vs. Diaz” will air live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) on Saturday, April 11.

Tickets for “Shamrock vs. Diaz,” priced from $30, are available for purchase at the HP Pavilion box office (408-287-7070) as well as at all Ticketmaster locations (408-998-TIXS), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com), and Strikeforce’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).