Jake Shields vs Joe Riggs On For Strikeforce April 11 Event

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 17, 2009 8:51 PM EST Comment 56 comments

ATO is reporting:

ATO has learned through a source within Strikeforce that Jake Shields will fight Joe Riggs on April 11. The show will be televised on Showtime headlined by Nick Diaz vs. Frank Shamrock.

Here is the updated card so far:

Strikeforce on Showtime
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2009 – 7:00PM (prelims at 6:00PM)
Place: HP Pavilion at San Jose

Main Event:
Frank Shamrock vs Nick Diaz

Undercard:
Jake Shields (21-4) vs Joe Riggs (29-10) (Not Yet Announced)
Benji Radach vs Scott Smith
Josh Thomson vs TBA
Gilbert Melendez vs TBA

Possible Participants:
Cris Cyborg
Evangelista Cyborg

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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Comments

Boo.

Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken

by Richard Wade on Feb 17, 2009 8:58 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Who did you want him to fight? GSP?
:)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 17, 2009 9:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought a match with Koscheck would be good.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Feb 17, 2009 9:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hazelett!

now imagine if hazelett would sub him? that would be greaaaaat.. (or maybe cause im just a hazelett nut?) haha :D

http://weoweoweo.deviantart.com/

by Anton Tabuena on Feb 17, 2009 9:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You're a HAZELNUT!!!

HAHAHA

"I hit [Evensen], and you could just see it in his head. He went, 'Oh, man. We don't have to do this anymore. I'm good. Thanks for having me. I'm going to go home now." -Pat "The Real Techno Viking" Berry

by Blackout612 on Feb 17, 2009 9:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hahahahahahahah. :D

http://weoweoweo.deviantart.com/

by Anton Tabuena on Feb 17, 2009 9:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t hate the man. ;-)

I would have rather seen him face Hieron like was initially suggested, though.

by Richard Wade on Feb 17, 2009 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Shields Comments On Opponent After Riggs

Shields said there were still details to be negotiated on his son’s obligations to Strikeforce, including the exact time frame of the contract and number of fights, but said he would make a main event appearance "against a well-known opponent" in the summer for his second Strikeforce fight.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 18, 2009 4:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8201&zoneid=13

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 18, 2009 4:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You said it for me. What a crock.

by subo on Feb 18, 2009 3:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like this fight.

by Nick Thomas on Feb 17, 2009 9:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think its a good first fight for Shields under Strikeforce.
No layup here at all.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 17, 2009 9:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Because Joe Riggs is the ___th WW in the world. Please, fill in the blank.

by subo on Feb 18, 2009 3:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

28th-ish

It’s prestigious.

by Blackout612 on Feb 18, 2009 3:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hehe

Just heard from Jake.

He said “it’s a possibility,” but that the fight isn’t signed.

by Michael Hatamoto on Feb 17, 2009 9:06 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

whelp….that settles that

by banter on Feb 17, 2009 9:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, its happening now.
:)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 18, 2009 5:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He’s still really wanting to fight in the UFC, as it’s obvious where the best WW fighters in the world are.

by Michael Hatamoto on Feb 17, 2009 9:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know.
I would like to see a Hieron vs Shields fight myself before he decides on jumping to the UFC.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 17, 2009 9:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Or Aoki, actually.
:)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 17, 2009 9:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh...

Joe Riggs is a waste of Jake Shields’ time.

8-6 since 2005…and yeah…those losses (with the exception of Devela) were to guys who are very much “for real”

But Shields is damn near the top of the division. This is the definition of “Fight Riggs always loses”

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 17, 2009 9:17 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Yep.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Feb 17, 2009 9:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Co-Signage

http://www.mmaforreal.com

by Kelvin Hunt on Feb 17, 2009 10:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Let me be clear...

I’m not faulting Shields here. He should absolutely take the fight and he’ll look like a stud bashing Riggs’ face in. But man it just doesn’t feel like a fight that matters at all unless Riggs somehow wins.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 17, 2009 10:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is a good challenge for Shields

I hate Joe Riggs, think he is almost worthless.

For all those wondering if Shields can handle the striking ability and size of fighters in the UFC this is a good indicator. The one thing I know about Riggs is he can smash a fighter if he overpowers him and does have decent stand up.

by bignerd on Feb 17, 2009 10:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 18, 2009 4:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Joe Riggs can still get his career around, but it just seems like the bigger the challenge the worst he does. He loves to talk about his potential…which is looking less promising by the hour.

by MattTil on Feb 18, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree… let’s just hope the UFC offers Shields the kind of money and fights he is seeking!

by Michael Hatamoto on Feb 17, 2009 9:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I thought Riggs said he was going back up cuz the cut to 170 was too hard on him?

by Beer Monster on Feb 17, 2009 10:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

maybe they’ll do another catchweight fight…

by Reaser on Feb 17, 2009 10:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ha. I was thinking the same thing.

by Richard Wade on Feb 17, 2009 10:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I wish I knew more about his negotiations with the UFC...

I am constantly hearing reports about how he wants to fight the best. Now I hear he’s fighting Riggs? If he really believed that he could compete with the best in the UFC, then he should sign a small number fight deal with the UFC, and then reap the benefits after he defeats the competition.

The truth, I believe, is that he really isn’t a top five ww fighter, and he isn’t that exciting either. Staying out of the UFC is probably the smartest choice for him.

I'm just a dude who's trying to put it together.

by mma_dude on Feb 17, 2009 11:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

There’s a thing called a contract, and Shields had one with EliteXC, and now he has it wit Strikeforce.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 18, 2009 4:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I understand they’ve been trying to wriggle out of it for months now but it seems to be quite binding.

by Benicio on Feb 18, 2009 5:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It would take more time/resources for them to fight it in court than to just fight the remaining fights in the contract. Better to fight next few fights and get exposure on Showtime and CBS than to be on the sidelines for a longer period of time.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 18, 2009 5:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess I shouldn’t shit on being a big fish in a little pond until I’ve been one… wait, I’ve definitely been the smartest person at several of the jobs I’ve had. And those jobs, I quit.

This is some shit. Pete Spratt wasn’t available?

by subo on Feb 18, 2009 3:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Spratt was smart enough to want to fight Riggs.

by Blackout612 on Feb 18, 2009 3:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Seems obvious to me he is just going to finish out his Strikeforce deal and leave rather than fight it out in court.

by Michael Rome on Feb 18, 2009 3:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

SHIELDS AGREES TO FIGHT RIGGS FOR STRIKEFORCE

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8201&zoneid=13

Former EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields has reached an agreement to fight for Strikeforce, signing on to the San Jose-based promotion’s April 11 Showtime debut to face veteran Joe Riggs.

Aroundtheoctagon.com was the first to report the news. MMAWeekly.com subsequently confirmed it with Shields’ manager and father Jack Shields.

An impasse in negotiations brought by Strikeforce’s buyout of Jake’s ProElite contract was broken by the desire to keep the fighter working and out of court.

"Originally, EliteXC had been up in the air for so long, we had gotten a lawyer and were prepared to file suit to get a release," said the elder Shields. "Then we went to Strikeforce, and we know Scott Coker. We’ve always had good relations with him. It was much smarter thing to do than getting involved with anything legal. It just seemed the right thing to do to go head and finish the contract. It’s a lot better than waiting around."

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 18, 2009 4:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Glad cooler heads prevailed. He can do his 2 or 3 fights in a matter of 6-8 months and if he wins them all, there will be almost no contenders to GSP at the time and he might get an immediate shot.

by Michael Rome on Feb 18, 2009 5:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yup. He is already preparing for his second fight, probably on CBS.

Shields said there were still details to be negotiated on his son’s obligations to Strikeforce, including the exact time frame of the contract and number of fights, but said he would make a main event appearance “against a well-known opponent” in the summer for his second Strikeforce fig

ht.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 18, 2009 5:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe if they do CBS shows.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Feb 18, 2009 5:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Which they are, up to 4 a year on CBS.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 18, 2009 5:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Got a link with confirmation?

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Feb 18, 2009 5:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My word and track record should be more than enough, but here you go anyways.

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2009/02/13/deal-between-cbs-and-strikeforce-confirmed/

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 18, 2009 5:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Your track record is to jump and speculate on anything either outside the UFC or that portrays the UFC in a negative light, posting little other than a line or two with massive blocks of quotes. This time your quote mentioned nothing about CBS, so I was asking if you had read anything confirming shows on CBS. The link talks about a deal that is still being worked on that has an option for CBS shows. Nothing is confirmed yet.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Feb 18, 2009 6:01 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Magnifique

by subo on Feb 18, 2009 5:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Did you read that article? Basically under the deal CBS has an option to order shows. The primary vehicle is showtime. Also, there’s no reason whatsoever to believe Jake would be a main event on CBS. No name value. He can main event showtime though.

by Michael Rome on Feb 18, 2009 6:18 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Yes, I said they have an option to order up to 4 cbs shows, but Coker said its a done deal and they will put on a show on CBS, so I will take his word.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 18, 2009 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also, he could be the main event if they put him up against a main eventer, so, its hard to say, really. Coker won’t be putting Kimbo as the main event, thats for sure.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 18, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Doubt he gets an immediate shot at GSP. Immediate shots are quite rare for guys the UFC brings in. 2nd fight in the UFC, perhaps, but even that scenario puts his first potential UFC appearance into 2010, and the earliest he could see a shot at the UFC belt would be mid-year 2010.

by Hardcharger on Feb 18, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He would probably fight one of the AKA guys first fight, since all three of them won’t fight each other. It gives them someone to fight and gives Shields a real test to see if he can hang with the 170 elite in the UFC.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Feb 18, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not exactly a dream match up, but come on.

I really like Shields, but he still has some big holes in his game. Fights like this give him an opportunity to work on those and measure where he is at. I think he would get it pretty bad by some of the UFC WWs right now.

As for Riggs, he has a certain level of popularity and is fairly known due to his high profile fights in the UFC. Not only is this a sort of measuring tool for Shields, but it provides a nice opportunity for a hard luck guy like Riggs.

Not sure why there is so much disdain for Riggs on here.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Feb 18, 2009 10:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think its not disdain on Riggs per se but its more on the circumstance that he’s in. Since Shields stated that he wants to fight the best in the WW division but then agreeing to a fight with Riggs, who is far from the best fighter the WW division has to offer. He’s more like taking some collateral damage.

by Johann on Feb 18, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs