The Lion’s Den: New Home of Young Lions and Dogboxers

Posted on | July 4, 2011 | No Comments

A few kids learn some fundamentals from Sean Shamrock during classes at the storied "Lion's Den." The Lion's Den is a mixed martial arts team and training facility that was based out of Susanville, California but has recently moved its headquarters to Reno, Nevada.

By: Holli Yargo

Ken Shamrock’s famed Lion’s Den has been producing champions for around 20 years. The camp was known for its brutal tryouts intended to separate the game from the cur with grueling drills that included-but certainly weren’t limited to-500 squats, 200 push-ups, carrying a man of equal weight on one’s back for a two-mile run, and much more.

These days, however, Shamrock’s tryouts are more sophisticated, keeping in line with the growing sophistication of the sport of mixed martial arts. Now, heart alone is not enough. Serious competitors must be able to demonstrate general toughness, genuine skill, potential to continue learning and developing, and the all-important heart.

From the shadows of myriad successful Lion’s Den alum such as Guy Mezger, Jerry Bohlander, and Roy Nelson, rise two new and bright future stars. And, unlike many of the Den’s members, they didn’t have to travel far to get there. In fact, they only had to catch a ride to the gym with their dads. These future phenoms are Sean Shamrock and Briggs Foreman, sons of Ken Shamrock and Lance Foreman.

Sean Shamrock

Sean denies that his famous father was his only inspiration for training in the sport, “I wouldn’t mind the popularity of being famous in a sport where you’re recognized a lot,” he says with a laugh. “Maybe one day I’ll meet Taylor Swift or someone cute like that.”

Make no mistake; Sean Shamrock is serious about fighting. He started training while still in high school and made his MMA debut July 31, 2010 at a King of the Cage event, stepping in for injured older brother Ryan. After crippling opponent Lucas Goulet with an ankle lock-perfected and made famous by his dad-Sean threw a head kick, knocking out Goulet and sealing Shamrock’s first win.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t his only battle. Even before graduating high school, Shamrock discovered in March of 2011 that he’d be facing his most daunting opponent ever when doctors diagnosed him with kidney cancer.

Sean Shamrock in the hospital with his mom Tina.

“Well, they told me I wouldn’t be able to fight,” Shamrock recalls. “That was my main concern. I wasn’t worried about the cancer, because I felt I would be fine because I had God on my side…I was mainly shocked at the fact they said I wouldn’t be able to fight.”

But he did fight. Missing prom in order to have a surgery that would save his affected organ, Shamrock got back in the gym the moment he was cleared to do so. With a work ethic that includes considering cancer and surgery to be mere obstacles to overcome, it’s only taken him about four months to decide it’s time to fight again.

Briggs Foreman

Briggs Foreman may not be a name you’ve heard of, but according to the Lion’s Den this 21-year-old amateur will soon be a household name, at least in MMA fans’ houses. Foreman is the oldest son of Ken Shamrock’s longtime fight recruiter, Lance Foreman.

The elder Foreman, a former professional boxer, raised his three sons in the boxing ring. “Boxing has always been part of my life ever since I was little,” says Briggs. “I never fought…but I was always around it.”

Recruited by the Lion’s Den right out of high school, the young Foreman has been training under the legendary Shamrock for three years. He’s also an employee of the distinguished facility. “I feel like I have the best job in the world,” He exclaims. “As of now, I am one of the instructors for Ken and love teaching and passing my knowledge on to others!”

Briggs Foreman’s current amateur record stands at 2-1-0. While that one loss was by arm bar in his first fight against an opponent he later found out was 5-0-0, his two wins came by knockout and split decision.

Talking about his knockout, Foreman laughs. “I think the best part was beating a hometown boy who’s always nice,” he says. “That was my first win, and surprisingly I didn’t jump up on the cage or scream.” In a show of sportsman-like class, he adds, “I think I was more worried about my opponent.”

In addition to training, fighting, and instructing for Ken Shamrock, the busy young combatant also serves as a representative for his father’s fight-inspired clothing line: Dogboxer Gear. The clothing line defines a “dogboxer” as:

A person who displays the exemplary qualities of a champion, especially those pertaining to will power and determination. A modern-day gladiator or warrior who shows his exceptional qualities whether they win or lose: After taking a serious beat-down, that guy is truly a Dog Boxer; He is dead game in the cage.

A fighter who is scrappy and fights to win and strikes with bad intentions. They fight with a purpose and the intensity of a bulldog and would rather die before letting go or quitting.

A visionary, or dreamer; one who is determined to make their dreams a reality.

When asked if he believes he meets that definition, Foreman said, “Yes very much so. Like a pit bull, I don’t go around picking fights, but bite the pit bull and you wish you hadn’t.”

As for mean-mugging and trash-talking, Foreman has a clear philosophy on that, as well: “I don’t like talk. I leave everything in the cage.”

The two young Lion’s Den fighters will be featured on July 8, 2011 at the Fight Republic – Reno’s Downtown Showdown event. Sean Shamrock faces Craig Yustat and-after 3 dropped opponents in as many weeks-Foreman is scheduled to meet Will Saminski.