UPDATE: Jake Shields NOT Officially With the UFC, Will Drop Back Down to Welterweight
by Anton Tabuena on Jul 16, 2010 4:19 AM EDT
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It's official. According to Graciefighter.com, the UFC has signed the former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion, Jake Shields (25-4-1) to a contract. They also announced that the #3 ranked middleweight will drop back down to join the UFC welterweight shark tank:
Jake Shields will be debuting at the 170lbs weight division in the UFC. After careful consideration and consulting with UFC representatives it was determined Jake would be finally going back to his original fighting weight.
Jake's opponent is one of the UFC's top contenders and will be announced shortly.
While I would've loved to see him coach on TUF and get a title shot against Georges St. Pierre, his entry to the 170 lb division could still forge a ton of interesting match-ups against the UFC's top contenders. If I had to guess though, my money would be on him debuting against the #7 ranked, Martin Kampmann.
Win - Dan Henderson - Decision (Unanimous) - Strikeforce: Nashville - April 17, 2010
Win - Jason Miller - Decision (Unanimous) - Strikeforce: Fedor vs Rogers - November 7, 2009
Win - Robbie Lawler - Submission (Guillotine Choke) - Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields - June 6, 2009
Win - Paul Daley - Submission (Armbar) - EliteXC: Heat - October 4, 2008
UPDATE [from Luke Thomas]: Josh Gross says the signing is close, but not official:
Jake Shields isn't officially signed with the UFC. The money is agreed to, but the contract isn't finalized. Next week most likely.
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Don't start with the "First" crap...
Ok?
I like Fedor, it’s just his fans that are intolerable...and his management.
by Razreshat on Jul 16, 2010 4:33 AM EDT up reply actions 46 recs
27 recs?
Is that a record?
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former - Albert Einstein"
- Goonisis
44?
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by Cory Braiterman on Jul 16, 2010 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Im gonna guess he is fighting...
Mike Swick. I think everyone else is booked.
If it's a "top contender"
then it pretty much has to be Kampmann. No one else is available.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
by Geno Mrosko on Jul 16, 2010 3:46 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
yop
It’s a fight he can probably win, they don’t want him fighting Fitch or Alves, as those are fights he probably loses and they need him to be a GSP contender after Koscheck.
Shogun lost a close decision! Everyone get crazy!
Maybe Hardy?
They could sell him as the last number one contender
Hasn't been made official
as far as I know. Theres always a high chance fights can change before they are made official, remember Carwin vs. Cain was pretty much supposed to be a done deal at one point.
I dont think it's official but it's been announced
and usually the UFC doesnt change fights that have been announced.
As for Carwin/Cain that whole ordeal dealt with the fact that the UFC couldnt sign Fedor for Fedor/Brock at 103. After the Fedor ordeal, Brock told the UFC he didnt want to wait out the Carwin/Cain winner at 104 and so Cain got Rothwell and Carwin bumped to 106 to face Lesnar. Lesnar got sick fight pushed back to 108 and then once it was realized Brock was out for a while they set up the interim between Carwin/Mir at 111.
Carwin/Cain was a done deal until Fedor turned down the UFC and Brock told the UFC he wanted to fight again in 2009.
bout time
I have a hunch he’ll be fighting kampmann as well.
"You think you're too cool for school but I got a newsflash for you, Walter Cronkite. You aren't. "
by B.H. Farnsworth on Jul 16, 2010 3:48 AM EDT reply actions
So...
If people feel that being outside of the UFC gives one an artificial bump in ranking, does that mean Shields gets pushed down a few spots?
I just need to remember if I am supposed to hate a non-UFC guy who becomes a UFC guy, or just base my opinion on a fighter’s body of work regardless of organizational affiliation.
BOOSH
It's kinda simple,
Dan Henderson, who was widely ranked as the number 2-3 middleweight in the world, (who also attained that rating in the UFC), got beaten down and dominated by Jake.
No one in his right mind could say that Jake being at #3, is because of bias from him fighting outside the UFC.
by Anton Tabuena on Jul 16, 2010 3:55 AM EDT up reply actions
I am rarely serious
But am kind of here. Aren’t there a lot of people who always raise hell about the rankings of Strikeforce fighters because they think the fighters get an artificial bump by not being in the UFC?
My only goal is to mock them.
BOOSH
Jake Shields doesn’t fit the bill. He has by far the best resume and strength-of-schedule of anyone never to fight in PRIDE or the UFC. Because of the fights Jake has taken and won, we actually have a good guage of where he should be.
a life: it's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come -Lester Freamon
by eastcoastatlas on Jul 16, 2010 6:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Jake Shields is kind of the exception that proves that rule. And he’s coming to the UFC!
If you really think King Mo or Mousasi are top ten LHWs, then I pity you.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 16, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't want your pity
I want you to watch the 1989 Niners Season and Superbowl win over Denver on an endless loop.
BOOSH
We’re 2-0 in our last two. The sins of yesteryear are forgiven. Elway getting those terrible teams to the Big Game is amazing by itself.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 17, 2010 2:31 AM EDT up reply actions
i really challenge you to find one professional fighter that does not think Mo is a top 10?
"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers
shooter/cutter for AllElbows.com and MMAFighting.com, mma enthusiast
I bet I can find twenty guys that think THEY are top ten, and I’ll just pick half of them.
Mo’s LHW resume:
Yukiya Naito (no Wikipedia)
Ryo Kawamura (no Wikipedia)
Gegard Mousasi (2-0 at LHW at the time with wins over Babalu and Soko)
3-0 at LHW against that type of competition does not a top ten fighter make. I don’t care if he is good enough to beat some guys ranked above him – he’s got to do it first.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 17, 2010 2:34 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The one area where I think the rankings are still very questionable is LW.
Not that UFC fighters are necessarily underrated (though I think most of the japanese LW’s would really struggle in the ring against the UFC LWs) or that Japanese fighters are overrated – I think Shinya Aoki has deserved to be ranked where he has been both before and after the Melendez fight.
But in the LW division there still exists 2 separate pools of top tier fighters, and carries with it all the subjectivity that comes along. Which is kinda dumb. Rankings should not = prognostication, though over time if the best fight the best eventually rankings will reflect who is in fact a better fighter.
Jake Shields though has fought fighters who fought in the UFC, so there isn’t really the same problem.
About fucking time
I feel like it would either be Kampmann or Hardy, maybe even Condit.
Have they made it official yet? I remember Hardy saying in an interview after the Lesnar/Carwin card that it was between Kampmann and Condit.
I think Hardy also said the fight was sign, he just wasn't allowed to leak names...
Then he went on to break down how a Condit fight would go if he were to face Condit.
Shields should debut against someone like Kampmann or the winner of Fitch-Alves.
Twitter: @FlyByKnite
Sucks that he’ll lose his first fight if/when he faces Kampmann.
If the don’t want to/can’t give him an immediate shot to GSP, they should give him Hardy.
Or he could just submit him since you know, that’s what he does to a large majority of his opponents. I’m sick of Shields being targeted as a blanket because of his fight against
Mayhem. People need to look at his record and realize that before Hendo and Mayhem, Shields finished every opponent he fought since 2006.
Hard core MMA fan since UFC 99
by ChiCubs23 on Jul 16, 2010 4:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
At WW Jake was finishing everyone. Fast.
"You think you're too cool for school but I got a newsflash for you, Walter Cronkite. You aren't. "
by B.H. Farnsworth on Jul 16, 2010 4:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Shields has one of the highest percentages ever
for fights gone to a decision. I believe it’s top 5 of all time for fighters in major promotions.
http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/
by Cory Braiterman on Jul 16, 2010 4:46 AM EDT up reply actions
This
is one of the most insanely stupid things I have ever seen posted on this website
by Patrick John McGreevy on Jul 16, 2010 4:51 AM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
He decisions people.
Has throughout his career. Last 10 fights, as people have loved to point out have gone to finishes, his overall career numbers are incredibly high
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by Cory Braiterman on Jul 16, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
yea and?
Thats one of the highest rates of decisions in the history of this sport.
bye
http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/
by Cory Braiterman on Jul 16, 2010 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay. Last 10 fights.
Decision
Decision
Submission
Submission
Submission
TKO
Submission
Submission
TKO
I’m not going to look up your claim, but even if it is true (which I doubt) it’s one of the stupidest and least relevant claims on the planet. Nice try though.
Hard core MMA fan since UFC 99
by ChiCubs23 on Jul 16, 2010 4:57 AM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
Dude, you can’t fight BS with facts, that’s just not fair.
I'm a lover not a fighter
by spectaa on Jul 16, 2010 5:28 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Chuck Norris can fight BS with facts...
and with his fists
The rest... is virtually identical
by randy maverick on Jul 16, 2010 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
When Chuck Norris and Superman have sleep overs, they argue over who has the cooler Jack Bauer Pajamas…
ALL OF YOU LISTEN TO MEE, DON'T DISTURB HERE, I WILL CALL POLICE CATCH YOU, DON'T COME TO MY BANGOLOW HOUSE, UNDERSTAND, O.K. I HATE ALL OF YOU.
by Chris Barton on Jul 16, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Fitch and Chael are the blankets. Chael has never finished anyone and Fitch good as he is dry humps to victory as well. Sheilds has no stand up and Hendo has no Jiu Jitsu. It is called mount sweep learn it Hendo. Also Hendo almost KO’d Jake and had not had a fight in a year. Ring rust is real. Jake really has never beaten a top guy other than Hendo. I think Nick Diaz is better than Jake.
Please let Kos get injured so GSP can fight Jake instead. Then GSP will have to stand because that is Jake’s weak spot
"Jake really has never beaten a top guy other than Hendo."
Yushin Okami, Paul Daley and Carlos Condit disagree
have you talked to other fighters who have trained with jake and asked them about jakes mount?
but i do think Nick is better than Jake.
But i think Nick is a close 2nd behind GSP at ww and Jake #3
"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers
shooter/cutter for AllElbows.com and MMAFighting.com, mma enthusiast
wishing injuries on fighters is bad karma
"I am going to burn your fucking house down, but you will blow me first"
by Barack Lesnar on Jul 16, 2010 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions
last 10 is nice
want to go with career? Because it puts him in the top 5 when you take it as a percentage. I’m going with numbers, dunno what you’re babbling about.
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by Cory Braiterman on Jul 16, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
13 of his 25 wins have been by way of some kind of finish...
either submission (10) or TKO (3). So that is, what, 52% finish and 48% decision?
Doesn’t seem that bad to me, however I don’t know what the averages are for other “top” fighters.
I like Fedor, it’s just his fans that are intolerable...and his management.
I do
I looked it up. That’s top5 all time amongst fighters with at least 10 fights in major organizations :D If memory serves from the last Shields thread, the only ones higher are Fitch, Henderson and I believe Couture
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by Cory Braiterman on Jul 16, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Machida, Evans and Edgar all have over 50% decision rates and Maynard has nearly 80%.
by rabrown on Jul 16, 2010 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
good pickups! I missed those
Gray only has 9 fights, and I was looking for 10, but good enough I suppose with that high a rate. Including Maynard that puts Shields at #6 alltime behind those three, Hendo and Fitch. Good company.
http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/
by Cory Braiterman on Jul 16, 2010 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I was actually pointing them out to prove that Shields isn’t close to being among the worst at finishing fights, and that was only with minimal research.
There’s several other fighters like Chonan (58%), Ishida (73%), McKee (75%), Nakamura (73%) and Almeida (67%).
Agreed...
Saying he is among the worst then pulling a few names off the top of your head is beyond silly… There are probably dozens of fighters with worse finishing rates.
If you consider that “elite finishers” like:
Chuck Liddell reaches a decision 33% of the time.
(he was at 50% before the first Couture fight)
Rampage reaches a decision 30% of the time.
Shields doesn’t have terrible numbers.
His recnet fights are the most telling though.
And you don't even bring up the Brazilian Blanket?
Ricardo Arona, 9 decisions in 14 wins. 64% decision rate.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
I'm sure there are others that I am forgetting off the top of my head....
Hmm…
Mitsuhiro Ishida has gone to a decision in over 70% of his fights
1) I never said "worst"
that word has numerous implications in it, and I deliberately avoided using his decision rate as a “bad” thing. If you want to imply it, that’s fine, but I specifically did not use that term for that reason.
2) These weren’t names just chosen out of a hat, at one point I and some various other people I asked online for assistance spent some hours looking this up and came up with an actual list. This was months ago and I believe Couture’s last finish combined with Shields’ last decision flipped their rankings. I missed Evans, Machida and Almeida, although I believe Chonan was there in hindsight. If you REALLY want to be sure, feel free to go back in my comment’s history.
I’ll guess that Evans, Machida, Almeida and Maynard didn’t make the list at the time because we’d perhaps set the bar at a higher number of fights.
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by Cory Braiterman on Jul 16, 2010 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I specifically stated "major"
McKee’s biggest fights have been in the defunct IFL and one loss in KotC. Which Nakamura are you referring to? Hiroshi is the only one I recognized on a quick glance and he suffers from the same thing, Deep and Shooto are fairly small potatoes in the grand scheme of organizations. In any case, there are a ton of Nakamura’s in the database, so help me out here, because I’m simply unaware of which one you’re referring to
http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/
by Cory Braiterman on Jul 16, 2010 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Kaz Nakamura.
Anyway, Shields finishing eight of his last ten fights when he’s stepped up in competition should be praised. The two fights that weren’t finished were both fought at 185 and there’s no shame in not being able to finish Mayhem (who engaged Jacare in a grappling battle and went the distance) or Hendo (who has only been stopped by Silva and the Nogs, all being much larger men than Shields).
Two things:
Don’t make assertions in the present time based off data you found in the past. Or else I’m going to start citing gallons of oil used in 1930 as present day fact.
Don’t use the term “in the history of the sport”-but then only allow your hand picked list of major organizations. Many people would consider the IFC as a major org compared to the plethora of regional orga.
Hard core MMA fan since UFC 99
If the IFC is actally major
then sorry, forgive me. I was not seriously into MMA back in 2000/2001 when McKee had a pair of fights there. I’m still unaware of its significance to the sport after looking at those two cards and seeing the only recognizable names as Bobby Southworth, David Terrell, Joey Villasenor and the only very significant name, one Rich Franklin.
Looking at a few other events from , I’m seeing other recognizable names, Vovchanchyn, Matyushenko, Varelans, Vernon White, Severn, Linland, Horn, etc. Despite there being some good names, it still appears to be a fairly small-time promotion. Can you explain its significance to me?
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by Cory Braiterman on Jul 17, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm just saying,
You can’t conflict “history of the sport” and your handpicked list of major orgs. The UFC, Strikeforce, Pride, Dream, and the WEC are not the only major orgs in history. Roy Nelsons four or five fights in the IFL are certainly credible. That’s why he was such a big favorite to win TUF, because he had wins in a major organization.
Hard core MMA fan since UFC 99
how else can anyone come up with a list?
You have to pick and choose what is and is not relevant. Is Moosin relevant? Shine Fights? Jungle Fight? YAMMA Pit Fighting? International Vale Tudo Championship? Fight Force International? Someone HAS to sit down and put organizations into categories for the purpose of this, or pretty much any historical conversation.
Were they a major player? OK over here… Irrelevant? This pile… Kind of small, maybe had something worth noting that will go down as an interesting footnote? OK lets cull them here.
http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/
by Cory Braiterman on Jul 17, 2010 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
He meant the IFL, not the IFC.
Anyway, the IFC put together a tournament that, in hindsight, was the sport’s most relevant tourney held outside of PRIDE in a long time. In 2003 they did a one-night eight-man LHW tournament with Shogun, Forrest, Sonnen, Babalu, Horn and Prangley as six of the eight participants.
Thats one hell of a tourny
Does that bump the IFC from say “irrelevant” to “interesting footnote in MMA history”?
http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/
by Cory Braiterman on Jul 17, 2010 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, if you can’t so math, that’s an 80% finishing rate in his last 10 fights (you know, the most relevant ones)
Hard core MMA fan since UFC 99
and 48% overall for the career
Good for 3rd behind Fitch and Hendo. Pretty sure there was another name in ther I’m forgetting, but another perusal shows it wasn’t Couture, so he may be 3rd.
http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/
by Cory Braiterman on Jul 16, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
can we get a de-rec button for nonsense like this?
"How you expect to run with the wolves come night when you spend all day sparring with the puppies" - Omar Little
by The Omaplatapus on Jul 16, 2010 6:33 AM EDT up reply actions
You rec him... Then you take it away!
Nobody can see it, but it feels like you are accomplishing something.
by truck on Jul 16, 2010 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
what have you got against numbers and facts?
http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/
by Cory Braiterman on Jul 16, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Where is your proof for this?
52% finishing rate according to sherdog. There are 5 others who already ID’ed w/ lower finishing rates. I don’t have the data myself, and I’m not going to run about on sherdog, looking up individual fighters.
So what research can you show to actually back up your claim?
B/c if you can’t provide any, then you haven’t provided facts – just assertions.
I don't need to write a research paper
to state simple numbers with a need to cite sources. There are multiple public databases out there, from S’dog to wikipedia. I and a few acquaintances spent a few hours looking this up. Don’t mistake a lack of the Chicago Manual of Style as not having facts.
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by Cory Braiterman on Jul 17, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
*Bruce Buffer voice* "If you enjoyed this..."
“… Visit me at mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com!!! Where I just make it up as I go along!”
Haha!
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 16, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
or I...
look it up in databases and wikipedia? where i… put numbers out there? herp derp?
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by Cory Braiterman on Jul 16, 2010 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions
The ufc has learned
not to underestimate Kampmann. He was supposed to lose to Condit when they were trying to sell him as the next big thing but that didn’t happen.
I don’t think he was supposed to lose that fight, and it was probably the closest fight I’ve ever seen.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
. . . Condit vs. Kampmann was a draw.
- - - - -
VEe is ANIMated!
by VeeisAnimated on Jul 16, 2010 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Seriously
I think that was honestly the first time I ever scratched my head and said “I have no idea who just won” at the end of a fight.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
Good call. I wanted Condit to win, but I agree that Kampmann won. Then I watch the fight again, & Condit won for sure. Upon a third viewing, there is no way that Kampmann didn’t take it. So on & so forth creates, as you stated, the closest fight I have ever seen.
Haha
I also wanted Condit to win, but that’s the kinda fight you whip out the ol “There were no losers” cliche.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
This is honesty – my gut was with Kampmann and it felt great to have the judges call out what I thought
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 17, 2010 2:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly
Guys with great top control will do much more effective GnP when they can use elbows.
Idk why SF has that idiotic addition to the Unified Rules.
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
-Author Schopenhauer
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 16, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Fitch throws a lot of Elbows
The nice thing about Shields though, is that he will actually go for subs from the guard / mount.
Shields would fare far better in the UFC's MW division than at WW
Aside from Anderson and possibly Maia I can’t see anyone at MW giving Shields any significant problems…and Anderson should be moving up to LHW soon enough.
At WW he loses for sure to GSP and Kos, most likely to Fitch and probably even to Alves.
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
-Author Schopenhauer
Don't forget about Sonnen, Marquart and Okami. They are beasts.
Also I’m sure Paul Harris would be a very tough fight for Jake as well. The MW division is no joke.
uhhhhh
shields already mopped okami.
mark munoz would be cool
"I WILL RAPE YOU TILL THE ROOM STINKS"-Jon Fitch
by TobikanJudan 6 6 6 on Jul 16, 2010 4:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Shields beat Okami at WW
Okami is a much much much better fighter at MW, as Shields is a very different, stronger and more effective fighter at WW
"I thought I was getting raped by Freddy Mercury."
- Tank Abbot
on his decision loss to Dan Severn in 1995
You’re right, although it was at 175. If styles make fights, Shields should stay at MW where he’ll likely have a much easier time implementing his wrestling / top control game than he will against the WW elite who all have good to excellent TD defense and, in most cases, TDs. Shields has already beaten and in one case dominated two of the MWs (although one match was at WW as you point out) who were believed by many to be two of the best wrestlers around at MW.
by The Darkness on Jul 16, 2010 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions
shields already mopped okami.
LOL
Spoken like someone who gets all his knowledge via fight finder.
Admit it.
You haven’t seen that fight.
A lot of people thought Okami got the better of Shields, but since it was a close fight and Yushin got there via a shady looking DQ (versus Anderson Silva), nobody complained..
Jake hardly ‘mopped’ him.
by Steve4192 on Jul 16, 2010 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
it was a good fight, but Jake won 2 rounds. neither fighter “mopped” each other.
"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers
shooter/cutter for AllElbows.com and MMAFighting.com, mma enthusiast
I agree, but a lot of people I know who watched the fight feel Okami took two rounds. Again, it was a super-close fight, so saying one guy ‘mopped’ the other is ridiculous regardless of who the judges gave the decision.
by Steve4192 on Jul 16, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
IMO, although somewhat improved, MW is by far the weakest and shallowest division, although HW drops off greatly after the top guys.
Having said that, I think Shields handles Marquardt and Okami (again) pretty easily. Sonnen could potential be a struggle, as Shields’ bottom game is not nearly the match of his top game. Then again, against Mr. Submissable, it might be enough.
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
-Author Schopenhauer
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 16, 2010 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Although they’re not contenders, I would like to see Shields fight Ellenberger or Pierce.
"...ride life straight to perfect laughter,
it's the only good fight there is."
agreed
those guys are bad matchups for a lotta people. Tough guys with wrestling and power.
by Broke Lesnar on Jul 16, 2010 4:46 AM EDT up reply actions
i think john hathaway would be a good first fight for him.
or even rumble johnson or dong hyun kim would be pretty dope too
:D
"I WILL RAPE YOU TILL THE ROOM STINKS"-Jon Fitch
by TobikanJudan 6 6 6 on Jul 16, 2010 4:29 AM EDT reply actions
Does that smiley face mean you’re being sarcastic? I hope so, I just can’t tell. Because Shields would submit Rumble in less than a minute.
Hard core MMA fan since UFC 99
by ChiCubs23 on Jul 16, 2010 4:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
that’s possible.
and so is that johnson could knock shield’s face off his face………possibly.
"I WILL RAPE YOU TILL THE ROOM STINKS"-Jon Fitch
by TobikanJudan 6 6 6 on Jul 16, 2010 4:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Rumble will no longer
be fighting at 170, so it’s a moot point, unless Jake goes back up to 185
by Scott Haber on Jul 16, 2010 9:45 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I have not heard that officially yet, although it makes the most sense
Both for health and competitive reasons.
Shields has good, but not elite TDs and Rumble is a former wrestler so one would assume he has some TDD (although not nearly enough for GSP or Kos, but who does…).
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
-Author Schopenhauer
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 16, 2010 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Rumble said he might take one fight at 185
while he was recovering from injury. Then I think the UFC scoffed.
Rumble probably won’t move up at all.
I think Zuffa is going to make that decision for him. Ken Pavia posted on the UG that Joe Silva was super-pissed at his last weigh-in snafu and told him "you’ve got to be kidding me. Move up already’.
It would just make sense for Rumble to move up. It’s not like he would be a small Middleweight either. Also, I personally feel that Welterweight is a deeper division than Middleweight, and I don’t see why he wouldn’t find success at Middleweight.
by chrisbboy82 on Jul 16, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Rumble's management all but confirmed
he’d be moving to 185 permanently in an interview a month or two ago. I’ll see if I can dig it up.
by Scott Haber on Jul 16, 2010 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Was this after his interview on inside MMA?
I remember his manager suggested it, but I thought he cleared the air afterward
Jake Shields is hotter now
Be a man, not a child-Phil Anselmo
by ANance on Jul 16, 2010 4:36 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
yeah, but Shamrock is a family man, so i am neutral.
by Anton Tabuena on Jul 16, 2010 4:41 AM EDT up reply actions
That was the BEST fanpost ever.
I actually thought a staffer did that to be funny.
And here we get to see if the "hype" is real
looooootttttta fighters out of the UFC get that bump in the rankings. Let’s see if Shields holds onto his spot or if the shark tank gobbles him up.
http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/
by Cory Braiterman on Jul 16, 2010 4:48 AM EDT reply actions
What hype? He’s already beaten Dan Henderson at MW after he’d risen to #2 while fighting in the UFC, as well as currently ranked UFC opponents Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit, and Paul Daley. Throw in the fact that he’s has been beating quality opponents at a higher weight class (Robbie Lawler, Jason Miller) as well as top rated Nick Thompson at WW and is currently riding a 14 fight win streak and it’s hard to argue that he doesn’t deserve the “hype”. Hell, the guy is 5-0 against “UFC” fighters.
Funny, innit?
Nothing hype about him— he’s legit.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
i'm aware
hence the “hype” in quotation marks. mild sarcasm which is probably easily overlooked.
http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/
by Cory Braiterman on Jul 16, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
see my comment above...
and see nottheface’s also…
by Anton Tabuena on Jul 16, 2010 5:09 AM EDT up reply actions
At Welterweight, I would like to see Shields fight Fitch, Koscheck, Alves, and even Ricardo Almeida because I am curious how the fight would turn out stylistically. I still feel that many of the fights that Shields has had has favored him stylistically. With Shields vs Henderson, I saw Hendo be a one dimensional standup fighter who didn’t use his strengths like the clinch or even his wrestling, and he just looked old. If he fought the top UFC fighters, I feel that they would use their strengths more like Fitch or Koscheck using their wrestling and whatnot, so it would really show me where Shields stands compared to UFC fighters. Even in Strikeforce, I feel that Jacare would be a bad matchup for him.
by chrisbboy82 on Jul 16, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
sarcasm fail
because the funny thing is, it would be potential FOTN. they would force eachother to scramble and possibly stand.
hate on Fitch and Shields all you want. Shields has never been boring, just one fight. Fitch i’ll give you, but Shields could make it good. its the 2 men with the most impressive resumes in the entire sport outside of GSP, Anderson, and Fedor
a life: it's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come -Lester Freamon
by eastcoastatlas on Jul 16, 2010 6:55 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
rec’d this because it’s so true. oh and because i like wire quotes :)
"How you expect to run with the wolves come night when you spend all day sparring with the puppies" - Omar Little
by The Omaplatapus on Jul 16, 2010 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions
It could potentially be a great fight, but
If it ends up a stand-up skirmish (can’t call it a war with their stand-up) that might be the ugliest fight ever…WFOTN maybe (no bonuses for that one).
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
-Author Schopenhauer
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 16, 2010 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions
B.J. Penn?
I would argue his resume is better than Shields, but you are dead on about Shields resume compared to most fighters.
I’m not a Shields fan, or even a fan of his fights, but he does find ways to win over some top notch competition.
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 16, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
valid
i wasn’t really making a compehensive list. there’s other guys in the convo, too. my main purpose was stifling some unwarranted Shields hate
a life: it's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come -Lester Freamon
by eastcoastatlas on Jul 16, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Shields's agent is terrible
Not for getting Shields a contract with the UFC, but how can he not get him a guaranteed title match? Now he’s going to let him risk getting caught in a fight against a contender when he easily should have been able to set up a bout facing GSP? This is why you don’t let your dad represent you.
GSP is tied up with finishing the show……then the airing of the show…….then the fight….then the time off (remember GSP doent fight all that often)
It doesnt make sense time-wise right now for a title shot. I like jake but i dont see him beating the top 4 at WW.
Daniel Worby is Mania's Resident Sissy Boy
by SouthCaliStunNa on Jul 16, 2010 5:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Doesn’t matter. You either ask for a huge signing bonus to fight now (hopefully he got this), or get a smaller signing bonus to wait to fight GSP next year. By risking a loss now Shields will be moved to the back of the line and have to win 3 or 4 more times. But by skipping a single fight and waiting for a title shot not only does he get propelled to the top if he wins but he also probably gets a huge bonus. All UFC champs apparently get a ppv bonus (it makes sense, since it would help keep a fighter from holding out). So you are going to risk 70/70 or 100/100 against the chance to get a $1 million on your first defense?
I cheered for Shields to go into free agency with the Strikeforce belt. I really wanted to see what a fighter could do with all the leverage, but it looks he blew the negotiations when he chose to do that photo op.
All the leverage?
Hahahaha.
Jake just came off two snoozer fights (albeit impressive wins nonetheless). He did not have “all the leverage”
The UFC had all the leverage, as they could pay him more money and give him fights that will expand his name better, and that’s it.
by Patrick John McGreevy on Jul 16, 2010 6:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Also
to clarify, I doubt the man is anymore than a single win away from a title shot.
by Patrick John McGreevy on Jul 16, 2010 6:35 AM EDT up reply actions
exactly.hes one fight/win away from a title shot
thats pretty damn good. Not to mention hes not a draw (thats the real leverage). He wants to be the best so he wants to be in the UFC. lets not mistake him for Fedor (pre werdum loss).
theyll probably give him Kampman or Paulo, he’ll win and get a title shot to get in there and get smashed on by GSP.
Daniel Worby is Mania's Resident Sissy Boy
by SouthCaliStunNa on Jul 16, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
hopefully,
he has a “win this, and you get a title shot” in there at the very least.
by Anton Tabuena on Jul 16, 2010 5:17 AM EDT up reply actions
i think that goes without saying
Daniel Worby is Mania's Resident Sissy Boy
by SouthCaliStunNa on Jul 16, 2010 5:18 AM EDT up reply actions
title shot so quickly?
I dunno…..I can’t see Jake fighting GSP until the middle or late of 2011.
Unless Dana sneaks a Shields fight after the Kos fight with GSP, I think we might finally see the GSP-Anderson superfight that everyone plus my momma wants to see.
Unless Anderson pisses Dana off somehow in his next couple of title defenses (which is a distinct possibility), I see Anderson and Georges meeting in the cage first, before Shields gets his title shot.
On the UFC’s part a GSP-Silva fight would make way more money (and sense) then a GSP-Silva fight, IMHO
by devious1 on Jul 16, 2010 8:10 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm guessing Dana, after finally seeming open to the idea,
Now will shoot it down after GSP’s retirement comments regarding that the other day. maybe that was the purpose for the comments, who knows…
Of course, should the fight happen, GSP takes Anderson (it goes without saying he takes Shields, rather easily).
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
-Author Schopenhauer
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 16, 2010 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions
It is probably a win and get a title shot deal
The UFC has no fight footage that they can show so it doesnt surprise me. It becomes a lot harder to hype a fighter if all you have is them throwing air punches and selling the fight.
Also most people must have very bad agents then. Rampage didnt get a title shot right away. Cro Cop didnt. Shogun didnt. BJ Penn coming back didnt. All these guys had to fight to get a title shot and in Cro Cop and Shogun’s case it bit them in the ass. BJ Penn too but he did get the next title shot despite losing.
But none of them had the leverage that Shields had. Rampage came in after losses to Wanderlei and Rua, when the UFC purchased the WFA. Cro Cop had lost to Fedor and Hunt before coming over when Pride was collapsing. Shields was the Strikeforce MW champ and had beaten UFC fighters Henderson, Daley, Okami, Condit, and Pierce.
If Shields hadn’t pissed off Strikeforce with the WEC incident he could have used them as leverage against the UFC. Even if he really, really, really wanted to only fight in the UFC, his agent could have still made claims that Strikeforce is willing to pay them 200K a title defense (not unrealistic considering that he made $100+) so the UFC had better come close to matching and give him a title shot. What is the UFC supposed to do? Steal a champ from their competitor at a bargain or tell him to sign with Strikeforce so they could lord over their champs victory over “UFC great” Dan Henderson. Unless Shields got a big bonus not to fight GSP he got screwed because:
- the ratings to the Nashville show bombed, This proved he wasn’t a draw, so the strongest motivation to sign Shields was to hurt a competitor instead of because of fans clamoring for it,
- he appeared with Dana at WEC 49, thus pissing off Strikeforce and getting them to pull out of negotiations, so he had nothing to counter the UFC offer with
- The UFC booked GSP vs Koshcheckm guaranteeing Shields that he’d have to wait for a GSP fight,
Those three together robbed Shields of the great opportunity he had after April 17th. It’s sad (unless, again, a big bonus was negotiated behind the scenes) because I really wanted to see Shields take advantage of this opportunity.
No point in starting his UFC career off with a very one-sided loss. Shileds’ only real chance at the title at WW would come if GSP moves up and the new champ (or title fight with Shields to determine same) does not include Kos.
Fitch would be a tough match-up for Shields, but he has more of a chance of winning that one – GSP and Kos would force him to stand for a while before even taking him down…and there is no way Shields takes GSP or Kos down himself.
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
-Author Schopenhauer
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 16, 2010 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
What leverage?
As you already said, he’s not a proven draw by himself.
Bigger names than Jake, like Cro Cop, Shogun, and Rampage, also didn’t automatically get title shots either. Only Dan Henderson did, and that was because he was bringing something to the table – the Pride MW and WW titles, which allowed the UFC to sell the matches against Rampage and Anderson Silva as unification bouts. Can’t do that with Jake, as the SF MW titles will simply go on without him, not to mention SF just isn’t anywhere near the level of Pride.
For the UFC, it makes sense to have him win a fight in their org first since as mentioned elsewhere, they won’t have any fight footage of him to use in helping to hype up the fight. And with the GSP/Kos TUF season lined up, that’s a while to let Jake just sit on the shelf waiting when he can just fight a top contender instead and get first crack at the GSP/Kos winner.
That’s my point, he isn’t a draw and blew his leverage by taking Strikeforce off the table. If a Strikeforce offer remained on the table, he could have used that to get the UFC to offer a title shot. As soon as it was known that Strikeforce wasn’t even offering anything, he couldn’t parlay the UFC opportunity to hurt Strikeforce into anything for himself.
Or maybe there’s a great big bonus they gave off the record. Who knows? But from where he was sitting April 18th, it looks to me like he didn’t maximize his victory.
Strikeforce didn't help his negotiating stance either...
With their sub-par promotion of Shields, practically wanting Henderson to beat him, and it wasn’t that long after the Shields/Hendo fight, before the Jake and Dana at WEC picture IIRC, that they were talking about the (now failed) tourney to crown a new MW champ. I don’t think even if the Shields camp feigned any SF discussions that it would have fooled Dana.
I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a nice undisclosed signing bonus either. But I just don’t think Shields trying to parlay himself a first-fight-in-the-UFC-title-fight was ever a realistic goal for his camp, even in a WW division where Dana really wants fresh challengers for Georges. Hey, a win-one-get-a-title-shot deal has still gotta sound pretty good, no?
I think it was more of the UFC's image.
Don’t want a champion from a lesser promotion to want to come in and suddenly have a shot.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not.
by James Brady on Jul 16, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
This is one of the major problems of MMA.
This is why you don’t let your dad represent you.
I’ve said it over and over. Management in MMA sucks. There are two really talented managers, a few who care a lot and work really hard for a few guys, and then people with no effing business sense/no knowledge of the MMA marketplace.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
I agree with him fighting the winner of Fitch-Alves
I especially want him to fight Fitch. I really want to see that guy beaten for boring me to sleep during multiple PPVs that got more exciting as I slept.
Very interested to see Shields’ wrestling tested to that extent, too.
At worst its a coin flip
More likely, Fitch wins that one.
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
-Author Schopenhauer
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 16, 2010 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Jake Shields vs Jon Fitch submission wrestling match
by GoldenSt8OfMind on Jul 16, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
What’s the point of linking to this? To show us that Shields tapped him out back in 2005? There is a such thing as growing and getting better as a fighter, you know. I believe that was before he went into the UFC, actually. He is now 12-1 in the UFC with his only loss being to, arguably, the greatest fighter in the world. So, thanks but it doesn’t really tell us anything about what that fight would be like now.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
by Geno Mrosko on Jul 16, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Shields v Kampmann would be fun, lets make it the UFC 120 main event. Kampmann is coming off of a big win, and the timing makes sense. There is no way Jake waits for GSP and Kos to work itself out. The only other option is the Fitch v Alves winner, but the winner could come out with an injury or medical suspension and hold them out for awhile.
by dpk875 on Jul 16, 2010 5:41 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Very interesting suggestion. The UK market doesn't appear to be as valued by the UFC, so they'd be willing to do such an experiment.
Plus, the UK card will be given a very relevant fight and introduce Shields to the mainstream US audience for free.
Not sure if they’d shift the English Bisping to co-main, though – Shields v Kampmann means a lot more, but pandering to the core audience is generally a must.
Reply fail. That is a very good idea and would also give Shields a bit more exposure to US fans since UFC 120 is on Spike
"Ten more seconds is all I ever ask. That's the good thing I learned about being KO'd twice. You don't see it coming -it's like death- you don't plan for it so don't wait for it. So many people are afraid of getting Ko'd that their hands stay home, but not me. I got to go out there and shoot the lights out and fall down" Jens Pulver
by StevenGiles on Jul 16, 2010 6:01 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not to mention that he could get around his suspension by fighting in the UK
If he is still suspended and if the UFC would do that…
That is a great idea
"Ten more seconds is all I ever ask. That's the good thing I learned about being KO'd twice. You don't see it coming -it's like death- you don't plan for it so don't wait for it. So many people are afraid of getting Ko'd that their hands stay home, but not me. I got to go out there and shoot the lights out and fall down" Jens Pulver
Glad he is dropping down to WW, he is over rated despite beating Henderson at MW.
"Jeremy Shane.. Easily the best writer on BE with initials J.S.!" - mmarazorback
Well if he had stayed at MW it would have been a win-win situation for him. If he won a few fights, then it would have been a serious accomplishment, if he had lost, he would have just said I’m a WW. The first fight Dan Henderson had on his return to the UFC was against Rampage at LHW, though you can’t really compare Pride and Strikeforce titles.
Personally, I would have liked to see him at MW just for a couple of fights
"Ten more seconds is all I ever ask. That's the good thing I learned about being KO'd twice. You don't see it coming -it's like death- you don't plan for it so don't wait for it. So many people are afraid of getting Ko'd that their hands stay home, but not me. I got to go out there and shoot the lights out and fall down" Jens Pulver
might depend on what his contract is, what his win bonuses are, if the UFC wanted him at WW, etc.; if he costs too much the UFC might not keep him around to give him a chance to lose a few at MW if the cost is high. He probably cost more than he is worth since I doubt he is much of a draw. He can always move up if he does well.
I’d be shocked to see him beat GSP or Silva.
"Jeremy Shane.. Easily the best writer on BE with initials J.S.!" - mmarazorback
The UFC was adamant that he would fight there at WW.
by Jonathan Snowden on Jul 16, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
MW just makes so much more sense than WW
At WW he is, at best, the 4th best fighter after GSP, Kos, Fitch. Probably behind Alves as well.
At MW, with Silva set to move up, he would have a fairly clear path given the lack of top MMA wrestlers at MW.
Then again, once Silva does move up, maybe they make the move with him then (if he hasn’t already been ruined at WW).
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
-Author Schopenhauer
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 16, 2010 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions
except for the fact that he is a natural welterweight, who was ranked at number 6 there before he ran out of opponents.
I agree that in terms of size WW is a better fit
But the UFC’s WW division is a gauntlet that would break him.
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
-Author Schopenhauer
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 16, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
You don't know that.
You are making some dangerous assumptions here. Let’s find out if Shields is not as good as these guys.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
by Geno Mrosko on Jul 16, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Other than Sonnen and perhaps Munoz in a year or two, there are currently no good wrestlers at MW. Stylistically, the MW division is a better fit for him given his game relies on his wrestling and top control, and he’s done nothing but well there beating three top 10 MWs (okami, lawler and hendo).
by The Darkness on Jul 16, 2010 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Gerald Harris is pretty good wrestler from what I understand. Mario Miranda also is no slouch.
"...ride life straight to perfect laughter,
it's the only good fight there is."
by dancingChicken on Jul 16, 2010 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Harris definitely has the potential and background to develop into a good MMA wrestler (and he’s in the right division to dominate with his wrestling), but to be honest his wrestling didn’t look very sharp against Branch although it got the job done. He really had to struggle to get a BJJ guy to the ground (who seemed to have decent TD defense, I admit) and none of his shots were set up well.
I’m not familiar with MM and don’t think he has a wrestling background so I’m dubious but I’ll take your word for it, since I’m feeling charitable today.
I also should have said — no good (MMA) wrestlers at MW in the UFC except for Sonnen and perhaps for Munoz. I think Jacare is a pretty good MMA wrestler (and a scary, scary match up for everyone, especially shields) and Rosholt is as well, even though his sub defense seems to need some work.
by The Darkness on Jul 16, 2010 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Miranda is Brazilian National Champ in Freestyle and Greco.
"...ride life straight to perfect laughter,
it's the only good fight there is."
by dancingChicken on Jul 16, 2010 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for the info. I stand corrected, although I’ll note that I don’t think that being BNC in wrestling means you’ll be a good MMA wrestler; Babalu was as well and his wrestling seems solid but underwhelming; some guy that Melendez fought and crushed in Strikeforce also was a BNC and Melendez seemed to handle him pretty easily. In sum, neither seemed to be that good of a wrestler, although MM clearly has a “wrestling background” and I haven’t seen him in action, so I will reserve judgment.
by The Darkness on Jul 16, 2010 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Miranda does have wrestling credentials:
A few Brazilian national titles and international competition as well, in freestyle that is.
by Scott Haber on Jul 16, 2010 9:52 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Thanks. I stand corrected. My other thoughts are above.
by The Darkness on Jul 16, 2010 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Jake Shields versus
- GSP
- or Anderson Silva
/////////////////
He deserves nothing less. If anything else this guy should get at least 1 fight against a top welterweight and then a title shot.
- - - - -
VEe is ANIMated!
yeah something like that for sure. Anything less is wack.
- - - - -
VEe is ANIMated!
by VeeisAnimated on Jul 16, 2010 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Shields has had tremendous success at MW, and I think he should stay there. There are too many wrestlers good wrestlers and people with great TD defense at the top of the WW division. I think stylistically he’s a better fit at MW, but I hope he does well nonetheless. If I were him I would be happy to sit and wait for GSP (even if that match takes a long time to make). I don’t think he should risk losing the momentum he’s built by fighting anyone else.
Your on the money with that. He has YEARS of experience. I don’t think the time away will really hurt a veteran like Shields.
- - - - -
VEe is ANIMated!
by VeeisAnimated on Jul 16, 2010 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions
the tremendous success is three fights that only happened because they had nothing to offer him at his actual weight class.
I’m not trying to take away from what he did at MW, but he’s a WW. He moved up because the only fight SF had for him at WW was really Nick Diaz, and that isn’t happening.
Being in the UFC he now has lots of interesting fights available in his weight class, it makes sense to make them.
Surely the UFC is angling for a title fight
I doubt they will have him face anyone who is a true challenge against him, esp for his debut.
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
-Author Schopenhauer
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 16, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
well, unless they throw everyone a curveball and put Shields against someone like Mike Pierce, it looks like Kampmann would be the debut fight. Is Kampmann not a true challenge to Shields? cuz I think Kampmann is a true challenge for anyone.
a life: it's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come -Lester Freamon
by eastcoastatlas on Jul 16, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
I think he is a challenge and then some
I would guess somebody like Pierce or Swick. Even Hardy or Condit would be a better match-up for Shields then Kampmann, who has one of the most well-rounded games in MMA IMO.
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
-Author Schopenhauer
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 16, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree.
If he has to fight someone before his title match and I were shields (or the UFC which may be investing money to provide GSP with a worthy challenger we haven’t all seen before), I’d angle to fight, or pit him against, someone like Condit, who’s a solid fighter but has extremely limited TD defense.
by The Darkness on Jul 16, 2010 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Excited to see Shields
get his elbows back.
Go Orange(men)!
by SUmonkey on Jul 16, 2010 9:35 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Shields vs. GSP has to happen
After GSP beats Kos and after Shields wins his first fight
by GoldenSt8OfMind on Jul 16, 2010 12:09 PM EDT reply actions
Shields vs St. Pierre makes a good fight
i think George might get the knockout
Aaron Simpson is the 30 something Randy Couture of the 40 somethings. - Mike Goldberg
GSP vs. SHIELDS
Return of GSP The Striker.
Shields will not be able to take him down.
based on what?
who was the last fighter to try to defeat GSP by putting him on his back?
"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers
shooter/cutter for AllElbows.com and MMAFighting.com, mma enthusiast
Hughes, Koscheck, Sherk, Penn, Fitch, etc. have all at least tried to put him on his back because they were getting beaten up. Kos was the last person to succeed for any length of time. Are you kidding?
by The Darkness on Jul 16, 2010 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Jake Shields
If GSP wins his fight with Koscheck,Shields vs GSP should be next.
by TERRENCEFROMSOUTHEAST on Jul 16, 2010 9:05 PM EDT reply actions
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