When do you hit the wall? When do you know you have had enough? Do you ever get to a point where your mind thinks you can keep going but your body physically can't?

It's a question that athletes in every sport have to consider and the same bodes for Mixed Martial Artists, who when they get to a certain age could potentially be a health risk if they fight. It's a sport where you typically have to be in top physical condition to compete.

So, to sum up my original questions, when does a fighter know when to retire?

It must be different for each individual, but overall it's what's on the inside that counts.

Many questioned the comeback of Randy Couture, but he shocked the world at 43-years-old winning the UFC heavyweight belt. Couture remains one of the most idolized fighters ever and has the ability to win the big fights at the UFCs top level.

On the other hand, many people are also questioning Ken Shamrock, the man who helped pioneer MMA on why he is even considering stepping back into the cage in any capacity (which he did on February 13th when he faced a near 400lb fighter).

The problem being is many people had faith in Randy Couture when he returned to fight; he was competitive in his fights when he retired and he didn't retire on his own terms, he still had more to give in the cage. Meanwhile, Shamrock has been getting pummeled fight after fight in dominating first round fashion for years, and he still is yet to retire, he keeps fighting, why?

Shamrock doesn't seem to think there is a problem with this, he's going to keep fighting, whether it be Tito Ortiz for the fourth time (which I pray doesn't happen) or some nobody from up the street. The feeling is that he doesn't need to retire because he helped build this institution that is MMA and he deserves to fight as long as he wants even if he is not competitive.

When you consider his sentiment I don't fully agree with him, but I do see his point. As a fan and student of the sport what I am concerned about most with Shamrock is his safety in the cage. As he sets to face a 400lb man, how he will physically walk out of the cage remains to be seen if this guy decides to maul him to death. Sure, it's a fight and anything can happen but if things go to the way of recent history you could see Ken Shamrock in a heaping pile of bones and skin within the first five minutes.

I do appreciate the sentiment of Shamrock though, the idea that he can fight as long as he wants because he helped build the sport. Plus, let's face it, the MMA world is making money now like crazy and Shamrock missed out on that boat because he was in the fight game before it drew the crowds it did nowadays and he's essentially looking for his payday in the sport. Not to mention he wants to compete after all, he IS an athlete and has the competitive drive all athletes do and until he loses that what reason is there to call it quits?

When you still have the likes of “Tank” Abbott and Dan Severn fighting I see no reason Shamrock shouldn't be able to follow suit. He just has to be smart about it, he's not going to beat Brock Lesnar anytime soon, the man needs to pick his fights and realize that he can fight but not at the top tier.

Despite an aging body and mind, the name Shamrock always gets your attention when it comes to MMA or even Pro Wrestling for that matter, and that should be enough for any organization to throw their name behind the “World's Most Dangerous Man”.