Jake Shields Wants in With UFC

by Blackout612 on Oct 22, 2008 9:14 AM EDT Comment 30 comments

Fronted by Luke Thomas.

"The UFC's the most likely option," he said. "That's where I'm certainly leaning. I haven't had any talks with them yet; I have to get my contract released. That's definitely the number one option I'm looking at. I was on good terms with them before I signed this last contract, so I don't think there should be any problem."

The UFC was clearly the most viable option for Shields, who will also benefit (both personally and Zuffa) from his exposure on CBS as one of the primary promotional components of Elite XC. I am personally curious to see what kind of turn around can be expected. Elite XC's promoters and organizers could save some face (what very little remains) by offering their fighters immediate releases. But then again; are they even in control of the contracts at this point?

The whole scoop is available at MMAWeekly.

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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I can’t believe it (sarcasm). This is what Jake Shields wanted. I’m not saying he wanted EXC to fail, but he had to want a shot in the UFC. He’s probably in the best position of anyone that was with EXC. Dana White has had good things to say about him. I want to see how he matches up withe the UFC welterweights. I wouldn’t put him up there with GSP or Fitch, but I think he could provide some nice matchups.

by Cannon Jacques on Oct 21, 2008 9:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Let the speculation begin as to his first opponent. If I know Dana, he will throw Jake in immediately with a top 10 guy to prove hit mettle. I am thinking a guy like Fitch would be an interesting fight. 2 BJJ black belts going at it. Or maybe someone like Alves if he loses to Kos. I think there are some intriguing matchups. The one guy I did want to see Shields fight is Condit because they faught a few years ago with Shields getting the win. Would love to see a rematch one of these days.

by lbk on Oct 21, 2008 10:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

shields vs. diego is most probable.

No way is he getting GSP.

The thing the elite guys and their managers need to do ASAP is get the Contract Releases…

Zuffa isn’t touching anything unless you have your contract release.

by mmalogic on Oct 21, 2008 10:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If these managers don’t get a release before Bankruptcy papers are filed they are in for a real headache.

by mmalogic on Oct 21, 2008 10:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not necessarily

Showtime has first dibs on the contracts. If he, or anyone else of value is released I would be shocked.

by smoogy on Oct 21, 2008 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, they have first dibs on the assets. In other words, if they default and go bankrupt, then the contract is an asset, and Showtime has first dibs. If they can get a release beforehand then they are free agents.

by Michael Rome on Oct 21, 2008 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, thats what I meant. I wonder though, as shareholders in Pro Elite, why would Showtime allow for the release of anyone valuable? If they wanted to continue doing MMA, they are in a position of power, it seems, when it comes to those assets.

by smoogy on Oct 21, 2008 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

contracts are not only an asset but they are also a liability…

You are right in that if showtime wants to continue they will try to hold on to them.

That’s why I am saying Managers need to do their best for a release as soon as possible because if it is held up in bankruptcy then you could be looking at up to 6 months plus just to get any headway.

Now…

The question is if a company goes bankrupt is the contract still valid? How can you be obligated to a contract once the other party closes it’s doors?

Usually things like fighter contracts are sold, released or re-assigned before the doors close.

Pretty soon one way or the other those contracts will be in default… by the time showtime picks up the pieces (if they decide they still want to do mma) they can be sued… those contracts will then all be a liability.

by mmalogic on Oct 21, 2008 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Yoshida in December, if Kos can’t go again and Jake’s ready.

by Beer Monster on Oct 21, 2008 10:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would like to see both Condit and Shields in the UFC, so why not have them fight each other?

Settle their old fight and their debut in the UFC in the same night. Two champions from other organizations, makes good sense to me.

by DirtyML on Oct 21, 2008 10:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As much as i LOVE this idea...

You would be introducing either Condit or Shields to the UFC with a loss.

by nitro on Oct 21, 2008 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is a real possibility the contracts and video library will be sold by the end of the week…

by mmalogic on Oct 21, 2008 10:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Crosses fingers for Zombified EliteXC/Affliction/Showtime amalgamation

by smoogy on Oct 21, 2008 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Zombified EliteXC/Affliction/Showtime amalgamation

Would that be their official name? Maybe they would go by ZEXCASA.

by Cannon Jacques on Oct 21, 2008 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Operated by..

..whatever the fuck his name is rapper dude?

by Blackout612 on Oct 22, 2008 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two men enter the Zextagon

One man leaves

by smoogy on Oct 22, 2008 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’ll get KOed if he comes to the UFC. His style won’t fly in the UFC’s WW division.

by Discman2 on Oct 21, 2008 10:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Diego-Shields is the right fight I think.

Really, there’s lots of options. Karo/Shields makes sense too. Yoshida/Shields is a terrible fight for Jake to debut with though.

by Michael Rome on Oct 21, 2008 11:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I vote Karo/Shields. That is, if Karo can finally get his mental shit together.

by pud333 on Oct 22, 2008 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ProElite will probably try and get some value out of their fighter contracts but I don’t see the UFC being interested, they are open contracts and many are on the bloated side. Hopefully Shields will have a way out of his contract if/when ProElite declares banckruptcy. If guys get mixed up in the ProElite Bankruptcy then they might be waiting a while for the contracts to clear.

by who me on Oct 21, 2008 11:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know enough about the law in these kinds of situations to say how it will work out. I presume the UFC may buy out Shields’ contract, since it’s really not that high anyway. I think he makes 50k including his win bonus, which is pretty moderate.

by Michael Rome on Oct 21, 2008 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i’d love to see shields in the UFC. he’s got a tremendous top game. he’d def have problems on his feet, but his takedowns are powerful and his BJJ is phenomenal.
Shields vs. any current UFC top ten WW would be great.

-- I've misplaced my pants.

by garth on Oct 22, 2008 12:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No news.

He’s said this for the past 9 months. This time, it’s real.

Kos/Silva/Fitch/Diego/GSP would all destroy him, and it won’t even be close. He got shown up that he has no standup at all.

89% in the world though that Gono would beat Dan Hardy. It was an easy bet as how did the Pride and non-UFC people fair so far? Same deal with him, he’s good yes, but he can’t hang with the top level. Sign him and throw him against Sanchez. Hype will end after that fight.

by xx2000xx on Oct 22, 2008 1:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Idiots. MMA fans already knew he had no standup.

That’s like saying Matt Hughes is a horrible fighter, he has no standup.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 22, 2008 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When more people see that fight…people will realize what an outrage the judging was.

by Michael Rome on Oct 22, 2008 2:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I figured it was.
Hometown advantage much? Tough to catch that fight though.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Oct 22, 2008 3:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he can get a damn release…. fitch vs shields a possibility for fight for the troops.

by mmalogic on Oct 22, 2008 2:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Fitch/Shields makes the most sense to me.

by lbk on Oct 22, 2008 9:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't know..

Shields would really struggle against many of the aforementioned UFC 170’s. I have a feeling he would get an easier fight to start out, particularly if he’s going to be paid a ton of money. I think Dana and Silva are well aware of his stand-up deficiencies and a vicious knock out would be severely devaluing to many UFC fans (notably, those who aren’t knowledgeable of Shields’ past).

by Blackout612 on Oct 22, 2008 1:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I doubt they care that much. They’ll throw him in with top guys. If he sinks it proves EXC sucks (that will be the talking point), if he swims they have a real contender. He’s a good fighter, no reason to use kid gloves. They wont be paying him that much.

by Michael Rome on Oct 22, 2008 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs