Jake Shields Signs With the UFC: Fans Shrug Their Collective Shoulders
by Jonathan Snowden on Jul 19, 2010 5:00 PM EDT
in MMA News
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Jake Shields is one of the top fighters in the welterweight division. He combines solid wrestling with a dynamic submission grappling game, making him one of the most dangerous men on the planet at 170 pounds. Shields is so good that he was able to move up in weight and take Strikeforce's Middleweight title, beating not just Robbie Lawler, but high priced free agent signing Dan Henderson as well. Our own Kid Nate set the stage for what followed:
Jake Shields shocked the world by shutting down an out of shape and visibly aged Dan Henderson to retain his Strikeforce middleweight title.
Shields went into the fight a free agent, despite his title. UFC head Dana White has spoken openly of wanting to sign Shields. It's no secret his welterweight division needs a challenger for George St Pierre.
Ironically Dan Henderson had just signed with Strikeforce after failing to come to terms with the UFC post his Knock Out of the Year against Michael Bisping at UFC 100. Dana White's eye for talent and shrewdness is as good as ever. CBS is now stuck with an expensive and apparently done Dan Henderson and Jake Shields is free to "move up" to the UFC.
Technically, Shields was a free agent after the fight, but he made it very clear that he was heading to the UFC. He sat with UFC President Dana White in front of the cameras at WEC 48, telling the world he was all but gone. But Shields still needed Strikeforce as a fall back position. He had certain demands, including a desire to fight at Middleweight to begin his UFC tenure. If he didn't do well at 185, well, he could always go back to 170 pounds and try his hand at his natural weight. It would give him double the opportunities to succeed, an important factor in a promotion that will cut struggling fighters quickly.
Shields had it all figured out-until Strikeforce pulled the rug right out from under him. In one of the great all-time "F-U" moves, Scott Coker didn't play along. Strikeforce had several weeks in which they had the exclusive rights to negotiate with Shields but, instead of making him an offer he could publicly refuse, released Shields without warning. According to BJPenn.com, Shields was shocked:
"I hadn’t really been talking to Strikeforce and pretty much everyone knows that I want to go to the UFC. We got our negotiations going with the UFC and they (Strikeforce) dropped me without any warning and it came out of nowhere. It is what it is and I’m moving ahead with the UFC contract and hopefully that will be worked out soon."
"[Strikeforce] They certainly didn’t treat me like a champion. I went up there thinking that I was the champion, didn’t have any tickets and wasn’t able to get in. Finally one of the Showtime guys was able to get me in and then Scott Coker had some tickets for me but they were way way way up in the stands where I barely could see and I was really surprised because I didn’t realize that is how Strikeforce treats their champs. ...They obviously wanted Henderson to win from the beginning and they were a little upset about that but I guess they just got mad at me for winning.
Now without any leverage at all, it was Zuffa's way or the highway. Shields will join the UFC as a welterweight, not as a middleweight, first facing the tough Martin Kampmann at UFC 121 in October. If you're the UFC right now, it might be time to wonder why Strikeforce is snickering. It might be time to wonder why the internet is not ablaze with the news. The answer is simple. Jake Shields is not a draw.
Shields has never been a popular fighter with the fans. Fair or not, a Shields classic is as likely to be met with loud chants of "boring" as it is a rousing round of applause. It's not just perception that proves Shields doesn't bring in fans. Plain old fashioned numbers work too.
Shields has come up snakeyes in his two highest profile fights on CBS. In a war of attrition on the ground against "Mayhem" Miller, Shields actually lost almost 100,000 viewers leading into the main event at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers. When, astoundingly, he was given the main event spot against Dan Henderson this April in Nashville, Shields set a new record for futility, attracting less than 3 million viewers, down 30 percent from November's subpar performance. The numbers were a disaster on every level. As USA Today explained:
Among males 18-to-49 -- mixed martial arts' core demographic and the only reason networks have any interest in the sport at all -- CBS Saturday Night Fights at various times trailed Cops, The Biggest Loser, Shark Tale and a re-run of Law & Order SVU.
When it came time to resign Shields, MMA legend and Strikeforce broadcaster Frank Shamrock has a simple solution-don't bother:
I don't like Jake. I've got nothing for him....he has no personality. He’s a boring fighter. And when he got on to CBS, and it was his chance to be a star, he leg humped [Jason "Mayhem" Miller] all night long and killed our ratings."
The UFC machine is well oiled and firing on all cylinders. 2010 looks to be another record setting year at the box office. Shields will join most of the world's top ten fighters on the Zuffa payroll. But hopefully they know what they've bought-the ultimate channel changer.
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Totally agree, Shields is not much of a draw. I think the UFC will build him better than Strikeforce did; but I have a feeling he will be dropping in rankings as we find out he isn’t as good as people (at least the ones that do rankings) think he is.
"Jeremy Shane.. Easily the best writer on BE with initials J.S.!" - mmarazorback
by JeremyShane on Jul 19, 2010 5:03 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Unfortunately, fighters are only as good as their records.
The UFC should put him against a top contender and if he wins, give him a title shot, against GSP or Koscheck (and by that I mean GSP). This will be the safest way to maximize their PPV buys.
MMA Aggregator - http://mma.ly
Jake Shields had eight straight TKO's or Subs coming into Strikeforce, SF does not follow the Unified Rules, NO Elbows the weapon of choice for control fighters like Shields.
Strikeforce also lacked top 10-20 opponents at WW, so Shields went up 15lbs to find good competition. He dominated 2 Concensus Top 5 MW’s, Henderson and Lawler and a Top 20 MW, Mayhem.
With elbows he could have gone chest to chest with Miller giving him no room to move while he dropped damage from 8-10 inches instead of posturing up three feet to throw punches.
Does anyone doubt that if even 10-15 % of the 280-290 punches he hit Hendo with were elbows that the ref wouldn’t have stopped the fight ? Big John said he almost stopped it in the second and again in a latter round.
by mixmaster2669 on Jul 19, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Who keeps giving Snowden a keyboard to type this crap up.
15 monkeys locked in a hall closet could type a more readable synopsis.
by dandeman on Jul 19, 2010 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
and you're banned
Snowden has been the most read writer on the site since he joined the staff.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
He certainly know how to get people involved
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 19, 2010 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
And uninvolved (based on the banhammer being unleashed like the Kraken).
Perhaps my best years are gone. When there was a chance of happiness. But I wouldn't want them back. Not with the fire in me now. No, I wouldn't want them back.
by jebushchrist on Jul 19, 2010 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I just don't get the venom that Snowden and Kid Nate seem to draw
Maybe its just me, but isn’t the point having compelling items that generate lively discussion.
I can’t speak for y’all, but I’m really not interested in only reading crap I already agree with and discussion where everyone agrees with me.
Personally I think these guys bring up a wide array of topics and points of view that stimulate good commentary with largely knowlegable fans.
Does anybody really want a series of 20-comment “I agree” articles?
"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
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 7:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 8 recs
You know what’s happened? It’s become the cool thing on this site to hate on Nate and Snowden. They come up with these gifs and the GSP impersonation crap. They just feed off each other. It’s not a constructive way of saying they disagree it’s just a way to act stupid and have a lot of people rec it and make them feel good about it.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
Good one.
Run your mouth all you want but it’s true and you know it.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
Nate and Snowden are writing these pieces to provoke conversation. Nate in particular takes a Devil’s Advocate approach some of the time and writes from the minority opinion side mostly BECAUSE people will disagree with him. It’s kind of the point.
Sure, some people might think hating on them the “cool thing” to do. But most of us are just openly opposing the points because…the majority of fans don’t agree with the writers sometimes. Just because you happen to agree with everything they write doesn’t mean the rest of us have to. So get off your high horse and go back to arguing the merits of the post instead of attempting to troll the rest of the commenters.
http://www.instrength.com
Who is on a high horse.
I’m simply stating something I believe to be true. Do I not get to have an opinion all of a sudden? Oh ok, you just immediately go right into calling me a troll. I don’t agree with everything they say. But I don’t just pile on for the sake of piling on like so many others do.
By the way, I wasn’t talking to you. I was agreeing with someone else. You inserted yourself and started calling me Dr. Drew. And now you are running your mouth throwing accusations at me about being a troll.
Seems to me that you are the trolling me agreeing with someone. Take your own advice and go away.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
HA
Of course you’re entitled to an opinion. But when you try to paint almost everyone here with the same broad brush, you wouldn’t expect some blowback? You’re generalizing. BigDNotDallas made his point maturely. He didn’t call anyone out. You’re whining about the way a bunch of people post, not making any point at all.
Get a grip.
http://www.instrength.com
lol
well played beer. well played
by ImmortalTechnique92 on Jul 19, 2010 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not painting everyone that way. The people who do it know who they are.
It should provoke conversation. Which consists of the topic at hand, not shitting all over Snowden. That’s all I’m saying.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
That’s a lot different than what you said initially, but I agree with that statement. Cool.
http://www.instrength.com
by Tim Burke on Jul 19, 2010 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well then at least we can find some common ground somewhere. I agree with a lot of what you say on here, actually.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
by Geno Mrosko on Jul 19, 2010 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Get a room.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Jul 19, 2010 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
He obviously is.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
by Geno Mrosko on Jul 19, 2010 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I like to brighten up people’s days, and satire is a great way to get a point across.
GSP only comes out when someone writes something that misses the point very badly. If Snowden writes to be a shit disturber, and rile people up, get em all pissed, I like to cancel out the negative energy by making people laugh.
Keep Firing, Assholes!
Truculence, Belligerence, & Pugnacity
That’s why I need you in my life
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
I can totally respect that.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
by Geno Mrosko on Jul 19, 2010 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
May I?
While I understand the need for a healthy debate on the topics that arise day to day, at what point do you start coming off a bit insincere? It seems that a story might be written just to get people talking and the piece does not reflect how you really feel. I’ve noticed this with other stories but this one in particular makes me wonder. You’re kind of spinning it in a way that would lead someone to think it was a bad choice for DW to sign Sheilds. Strikeforce is NOT happy today. They let their MW “champ” walk and now have no plan for what to do next. I wonder what this article would have been like if DW came out and said something like “Jake is one of the best Martial Artists in the world, but he’s terribly boring to watch… We have no use for someone like that.” Would you be writing an article about how the UFC has to sign the best fighters in the world whenever the chance presents itself? IMO we should be applauding this move because it shows the UFC is willing to take a risk signing someone who isn’t a huge draw based on the fact that right now he’s one of the best fighters in the world. Moves like this help legitimize MMA as a sport. That’s all. I disagree now but appreciate the hard word that gets put into this site Keep up the good work guys, this is the best MMA website out there.
by Myke25 on Jul 19, 2010 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm mad late with this one, but it fits so well.
Walking the line between intelligence and ignorance since 1985
@deowade
by Damon O. on Jul 19, 2010 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That dude fuckin scares me
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
I eat Green Berets for breakfast
and right now, I’m very hungry.
Perhaps my best years are gone. When there was a chance of happiness. But I wouldn't want them back. Not with the fire in me now. No, I wouldn't want them back.
by jebushchrist on Jul 19, 2010 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Cool GIF...
…But it should read, “now…you know you done fucked up don’t ya?”
:P
"The path to enlightenment is through suffering"
by RearNakedChoker on Jul 19, 2010 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions
SEVEN
He had 7 straight stops before he came into Strikeforce. That’s the 3rd time I’ve seen it as 8, and it’s only 7. The 8th was IN Strikeforce.
Sorry, just nitpicking.
http://www.instrength.com
yeah
People forget how exciting his flying guillotine was on Robbie Lawler, that thing was gorgeous
follow me twitter.com/GotaHemmi
by Brian Hemminger on Jul 19, 2010 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah but then he couldn’t even finish that guy on “Bully Beatdown”.
(I’m only being half-sarcastic)
by casey manrique on Jul 19, 2010 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Uhh
That guy is Jason Miller and he has been notoriously hard to submit. He is a decent fighter with awesome submission defense. A comparison could be made to Joey Villasenor who isn’t that great, but can defend subs like no other.
by ImmortalTechnique92 on Jul 19, 2010 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think
Casey is talking about on the actual show where he couldnt finish the “bully” in the kickboxing round.
by seanerk88 on Jul 20, 2010 2:26 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
While we're on straight facts
16 of his 30 fights have gone to decision.
13 finishes
4 losses
16 decisions (one was a draw)
Over half of his fights have gone to decision, and I only see it getting worse as his level of competition is increasing.
Also note 90% of these decisions came in orgs that ‘do’ allow elbows to a downed opponent. In fact he had a better percentage in of finishes in EliteXC, than any other organization, and they ‘do not’ allow elbows either.
It seems like elbows aren’t his friend.
Shogun lost a close decision! Everyone get crazy!
well, Uhm
Yeah, there was 16 of em, they were in all different years?
Okay, fine I’ll bite:
There was some every year since he started in 1999.
Only exception was in 2008 when he was in Elitexc; he didn’t have a decision that year.
Shogun lost a close decision! Everyone get crazy!
I may be wrong, but
Didn’t EliteXC allow elbows, excepting the events they co-promoted with Strikeforce where SF was the “home team” if you will?
"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
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 10:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'll chime in yet again
his 48% career decision rate in his wins put him at around #6 all time for fighters in major organizations with 10 or more fights. Not in order, the 4 above him I’ve managed to find that fit that criteria are Chonan, Fitch, Henderson, Evans and Machida. Maynard will soon be added to that list when he has his next fight again Ken Flo
http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/
by Cory Braiterman on Jul 20, 2010 4:51 AM EDT up reply actions
amazing how
he went from Decision Dan to Hollywood, with one gigantic, enormous, beautiful KO of a loudmouth.
http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/
by Cory Braiterman on Jul 20, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
He is obviously a draw on here
considering that there are over 300 post’s on this thread based on how poor a draw he is. I get so sick of the stigma that fighters with a strong wrestling base get in this sport with some of the fans that wish to be defined as “hardcore”. I just wish that everyone would admit that wrasslin’ is the very best base skill to start out an MMA career with.
Tang is a great name for a baby!
yup, smart move on coker's part, shields was half way out the door already,
he probably would have used any offer from strikeforce to bargain for a better deal with the ufc
i do not understand why signing shields seemed to be such a big deal for dana,
mouthing “he’s mine” like jake is some anderson silva-in-the-making
Good thing people are paying for the channel
I apologize for my never-ending assault on the English Language. I feel like Qui the promoter from Jade Empire...
Well, that’s certainly a negative spin on the UFC signing a top 5 welterweight.
http://www.instrength.com
by Tim Burke on Jul 19, 2010 5:04 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
or shitfarce losing their best fighter… Something tells me if Anderson were cut by Zuffa and coker signed him we’d be seeing an entirely different story. lol.
by mmalogic on Jul 19, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Of course it’d be a different story because Silva is the best fighter in the world today. You aren’t actually trying to equate this Shields signing as being anything similar if Anderson Silva signed with Strikeforce are you? If Jon Fitch left the UFC for SF it would be about the same as Shields going to the UFC. Good for Shields as now he gets to test himself and find out how good he really is against the best in the world. Good for the UFC for bringing in more quality free agent talent. It doesn’t always have to be UFC vs the world of MMA. Besides, everyone could see this coming from a mile away so its not as if it was some shocking turn of events. It was a matter of when it would happen not if it would happen.
by Johnnynumber5 on Jul 19, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Yes it does have to be the UFC vs. the world of MMA
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
So what story did we hear when strikeforce signed Hendo? and what story are we hearing now that Zuffa signed Shields?
The difference is that Henderson was a coup for Strikeforce because he was just a coach on the previous season of TUF and KO’d Bisping at UFC 100. That was really the first big name, contender type marquee fighter to leave the UFC on his own accord in recent memory to sign with SF. Completely different. Stop trying to spin this Shields signing or the coverage on BE as something its not.
by Johnnynumber5 on Jul 19, 2010 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Every signing is different in the particulars
it’s all in how you spin it. Jake just dominated the “marquee/contender” who left the UFC, which isn’t the story we’re getting here.
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 19, 2010 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah Im spinning it…
Im sure Strikeforce is really “snickering” and reveling in this moment after spending tons of money creating a contender for Zuffa.
There just running around like chickens with their heads cut off because that’s the cool thing to do.
by mmalogic on Jul 19, 2010 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Coups don’t get schooled
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 19, 2010 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions
If Coker did sign Silva...
it would be total awesomeness. Because he’d let him fight at HW giving us an opportunity to see fights we’d want to see. Part of Silva’s ‘bad behaviour’ is DW refusing to let him fight Frank Mir, something both of them wanted to do.
Bob Arum thinks I'm a white Nazi skinhead even though I'm a brown grad student (with hair)
It might be time to wonder why the internet is not ablaze with the news. The answer is simple. Jake Shields is not a draw.
It might be because this has been a forgone conclusion for months and was all but confirmed a week ago.
by truck on Jul 19, 2010 5:06 PM EDT reply actions 11 recs
Paul Daley is an exciting fighter. How big of a blip did he have?
What fighter as the last blip? This has not been more or less than Little Nog.
Aside from the PRIDE FC merger, when is the last time the internet freaked out about any UFC signing?
I can’t think of any blips aside from the Lesnar signing and the possibility of Fedor signing.
The biggest talking point about the Daley signing
Was about how he lost to Shields. Funny ain’t it?
"I thought I was getting raped by Freddy Mercury."
- Tank Abbot
on his decision loss to Dan Severn in 1995
ESPN was all over it.
It was on the ticker and Sportscenter. Don’t remember seeing a fighter signing on the WWL before.
Perhaps my best years are gone. When there was a chance of happiness. But I wouldn't want them back. Not with the fire in me now. No, I wouldn't want them back.
by jebushchrist on Jul 19, 2010 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
http://www.google.com/trends?q=jake+shields
Note the huge jump when he was at UFC with Dana White
Note the much smaller jump now when what everyone knew was confirmed
To get to this story I hit a spot that said 93 simuler stories, after reading the first one Jake Shields Signs With UFC, and he signed at 11:00 this morning, I would say the internet IS ablaz and last week the story was leaked.
by mixmaster2669 on Jul 19, 2010 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
this is going to be a big test for the Zuffa marketing juggernaut, especially if he should somehow fight and beat GSP. I see a lot of co-main events in his future.
"she told me she was on the pill." me
Yeah, Zuffa will hype the hell outta him. We’ll hear a lot of “He beat former Pride Champion Dan Henderson”
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
Eye roll…
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
by Charles Awad on Jul 19, 2010 5:11 PM EDT reply actions 6 recs
And people got mad at me when i called Snowden on his biases....
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former - Albert Einstein"
- Goonisis
I think it’s an absolute shame this kid gets the contract of his life and finally makes his way into the premiere promotion in modern MMA and this is the front page story we get to read about it. A non-fighter completely humiliating him. Very ESPN stuff.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
by Charles Awad on Jul 19, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
after winning shooto… after winning rumble on the rock… after winning elite xc’s belt… after moving up a weight class and overcoming every opponent strikeforce tried to get him beat by and then winning the belt…
Yep there was nothing more riveting.
I know you didn’t see all those fights. Because there is nothing in the world worse than watching Jake Shields in Shooto.
by Jonathan Snowden on Jul 19, 2010 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I have
Snowdens back on this one. I’ve nerded out of many shooto fights but his at 167 were definitely nyquil fueled.
by destructivist on Jul 20, 2010 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I didn't read this article as an attack on Shields, but an accurate reflection on the situation
particularly why SF didn’t care to resign him. If he’s not a draw, and they are struggling to get viewers, it makes sense from their angle.
The flip side of the coin is that the UFC needs a WW with the tools to challenge GSP, and Shields may be that guy, now that he can drop bow to the dome of a mounted opponent.
FWIW, I enjoyed both of the so called Snooze fests on CBS, because they are free. I am sure that Shields will rise to the level of his new promotion, and if not, Dana can release him without having him start at MW, as the article states.
Good piece Snowden…ignore the haters.
If they decided to actually market Shields instead of betting the farm against him they could have created a draw. Instead worst case scenario turns out to become reality and they get to watch their champion walk away. But hey they got that huge Clinch Gear sponsor right?
"I am going to burn your fucking house down, but you will blow me first"
by Barack Lesnar on Jul 19, 2010 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Proof that you know nothing of the situation
And are merely banging another drum to make some more noise. Strikeforce said “You can’t quit— because you’re fired!”
Are you seriously the only person in the world that didn’t realize Shields wanted into the UFC? He’s been talking about it for a very, very long time.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
by Charles Awad on Jul 19, 2010 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Bingo
He completely ignores that Shields didn’t even want to go to Strikeforce in the first place and didn’t really have much choice.
"I thought I was getting raped by Freddy Mercury."
- Tank Abbot
on his decision loss to Dan Severn in 1995
Kind of
I thought we got on the UFC for not signing top talent that wasn’t exciting. Maybe we just bash them for whatever they do AND don’t do?
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 19, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Brilliantly
He knew Strikeforce didn’t have any cheddar left, so he ingratiated himself to his new boss quickly instead of stupidly hoping for a bidding war.
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 19, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
And that analysis is based on what? Not his reaction or the reporting by others (Meltzer, Arnold, Gross, etc) who all seem to be under the impression that he was disappointed that Strikeforce pulled out of negotiations.
And maybe your right he was better off going immediately with the UFC, but all my experience tells me the opposite.
Coker gave Shields the same treatment Dana gave Henderson
"I am going to burn your fucking house down, but you will blow me first"
by Barack Lesnar on Jul 19, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Pretty much. Although, as much as I am a Shield’ fan, I think he brought it on himself by setting up Coker for public embarrassment when he did the photo-op with Dana.
That was basically Shields running out and screaming
“LOOK AT THE CARDS IN MY HAND! THESE ARE MY CARDS! NOW BET MORE MONEY EVEN THOUGH YOU KNOW YOU’LL LOSE! HAHAHAHA! Oh shit… they decided to fold on this hand? But… why?!”
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Jul 19, 2010 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I would bet my house that wasn’t Shields idea at all.
"I am going to burn your fucking house down, but you will blow me first"
by Barack Lesnar on Jul 19, 2010 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Poorly I think. The WEC 48 appearance kind of sealed his fate with Strikeforce and then he really had nothing left to bargain with. I think it’s a bad idea to have family involved in serious negotiations.
by Jonathan Snowden on Jul 19, 2010 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Snowdens gonna Snowden
"Players are gods, the stands are the pews, football is the new religion."
by DamnSevern on Jul 19, 2010 5:11 PM EDT reply actions 28 recs
shit brown
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
by donkeypunch on Jul 19, 2010 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
light urple?
I throw raps that attack like the Japs on Pearl Harbor/MC's be out like bank robbers/Fleeing the scene, to be a sole survivor/DJ the getaway driver/Tried to dip but he dive, I socialize on vocal vibes/On tracks stabbed up with razor sharp knives
by Anthony Pace on Jul 19, 2010 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Suck it Trebek
I get more rec's then a Toyota!
by DayGeaux on Jul 19, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
what is ...
Your mother is a WHORE Trabeck
by Gi_choke on Jul 19, 2010 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'll take "The Rapists" for 200.
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 19, 2010 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
"Ape tits"
I specializes in grammar fail.
by a tommy point on Jul 19, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
don't forget
Potent Potables
I get more rec's then a Toyota!
by DayGeaux on Jul 19, 2010 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Can't disagree with you here.
The UFC is doing what they can already by putting him on the UFC 121 card with Brock in his home state. Lots of promotion coming there. If they do it right he could draw plenty of interest to complement the Lesnar fight.
I think they know they are fighting an uphill battle in regards to his drawing power. I’m real curious to see how it all works out.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
He doesnt need to be a draw… He’s what you call a credible opponent. GSP is the draw and he just needs credible opponents to do well. What’s more, Shields brings over with him all the equity strikeforce has been building up with it’s MW division, ww division, the signing of Hendo and whatever equity Dan took with him when he left. That alone was worth it :)
People, including the author if this piece didnt realize Hendo was nothing more than just a credible opponent when they were cheerleading the “coup” it was for strikeforce when they signed him.
In this business you have Credible opponents and Draws. You need both.
Draw vs Draw produces astounding numbers. Draw vs Credible opponent produces great numbers. Credible Opponent vs Credible Opponent produces baseline numbers. So no, Zuffa is not losing sleep because a blogger thinks signing Shields and strikeforce losing their best fighter wasnt a big deal.
by mmalogic on Jul 19, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions 22 recs
So what do you do with him after the GSP fight, if there ever is one?
What if he gets beat by Kampmann…..then what?
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
He'll get a Hazelett type if he loses to Kampmann...
and drift into middle of the 170 lbs division
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
then nothing, you have to remember he isnt a draw so it doesnt matter
"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 19, 2010 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Who knows...
He could be a draw if it’s a FOTN with Kampmann
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
I disagree
I always watch Shields, because I wanna make sure I’m watching live when he gets his douchey ass knocked out.
So despite being boring, he’s a draw the same way Tim Sylvia was a draw.
Shogun lost a close decision! Everyone get crazy!
Its a load of shit.
Shields is a credible opponent if the UFC promotes him that way. If GSP promotes him that way. A lot of people hate Shields and think he is boring and couldn’t care less about him fighting. So much so that this whole “credible opponent” idea doesn’t work at all.
You are only as credible as the fans make you and the majority of fans can’t stand watching Jake Shields fight. The hardcore fans who drool over him represent a very small minority.
Although I would love to hear Dana say…“Yeah, we won’t try to make Jake a draw. He is what we call a credible opponent, so it doesn’t matter if he can draw even though our entire business model is built on the guys who are supposed to be the big stars drawing people to make us money. But we don’t care about him being a draw.”
You know why you would never hear Dana say that? Because it’s stupid.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
I was under the impression that you were a credible opponent based on skills and resume.
Those casual $*$^ù need to watch Shield sub people in the UFC and they will like him, because shield had one VERY boring fight followed by one not very sexy.
Fans need to get over it and remember that Shield is also an excellent submission artist.
I'm a lover not a fighter
I don't disagree with it.
Shields is very good at what he does. I believe him to be a credible opponent. He is obviously a good fighter. If people won’t pay to see him then it won’t matter. And you can’t just rely on having one big draw to gain all the interest because eventually that guy won’t be a draw anymore.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
If Shield subs Kampmann:
1/he will be the first one to do it.
2/people will want to see him fight again. Even before that, the guy that beat hendo, Lawler, Daley, Condit, Okami, undefeated former Strikeforce MW champion…if they can’t sell that, I can.
I'm a lover not a fighter
That's the point.
They NEED to sell it. Right now he is not a draw. The UFC can turn him into one but right now he is not. That was the point of the article. Then Mr. Shill for Zuffa, mmalogic, went on a rant about him not needing to be a draw because he is a credible opponent to GSP. Which is complete crap.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
Dan Hardy getting dominated by GSP probably made him more famous than ever before.
"I am going to burn your fucking house down, but you will blow me first"
by Barack Lesnar on Jul 19, 2010 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Dan Hardy is a legit draw now I think.
"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 19, 2010 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s not just that he got dominated, it’s how he got dominated and didn’t give up when caught in those deep submissions.
That’s how it makes him famous, the aura that is GPS tells people that Hardy did not give up not that GSP couldn’t finish not everyone has that ability.
"I am going to burn your fucking house down, but you will blow me first"
by Barack Lesnar on Jul 19, 2010 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL GPS god damn navigation.
"I am going to burn your fucking house down, but you will blow me first"
by Barack Lesnar on Jul 19, 2010 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Of course he isn’t, SF buried him as deep as they could to kick him out once Hendo took his place, but it didn’t happen.
But he is already credible, and that’s my point. Fans ‘fans my ass) who don’t know that just don’t give a shit. Fitch isn’t a draw, he isn’t exciting, but he is credible right? That’s my point.
I'm a lover not a fighter
I have a soft spot for Shields
I have been defending him against the naysayers for so long, that I have all his victories and accomplishments memorized. Also, I am one of those few who are really excited about him being in the UFC and the possibility of a GSP/ Shields fight. That being said, he should fire his dad as manager. They really screwed up his negotiations big time. He was in the best situation possible to really make a killing on his deal and all they had to do was play hard to get. Maybe he really only had eyes on fighting in the UFC the whole time, but you know what his manager should have told him, “keep it to yourself”. If I’ve learned anything in my many years is that playing hard to get actually gets you something.
If they are already interested,
They will become even more so if they have to pursue you…if you throw yourself at them, they’ll step on you.
Or as Ferris Bueller put it “you can never respect someone who kisses your ass…”
"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
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 5:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Jake Shields' signing was actually on the ESPN bottom scroll for two days
first time I can think of that happening since Fedor went to Strikeforce
I throw raps that attack like the Japs on Pearl Harbor/MC's be out like bank robbers/Fleeing the scene, to be a sole survivor/DJ the getaway driver/Tried to dip but he dive, I socialize on vocal vibes/On tracks stabbed up with razor sharp knives
was it really?? interesting how ESPN has had such a change of heart in the past year +
"she told me she was on the pill." me
I found out about Rogers KOing Arlovski
on the ESPN ticker at a bar.
by Marvin Malehooves on Jul 20, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
true
I saw it and was kind of shocked
"Players are gods, the stands are the pews, football is the new religion."
To me, Jake Shields = meh.
I understand and respect the fact that he’s a high level fighter, but he’s just too one dimensional for my taste and he really doesn’t offer much in the way of a compelling personality. Wouldn’t pay to watch him fight, but I’d pay to watch Georges chew his ass up.
"The path to enlightenment is through suffering"
by RearNakedChoker on Jul 19, 2010 5:14 PM EDT reply actions
So he is a Credible Opponent then.
Perhaps Logic was onto something abvoe…
Forever indebted to CroCop's left leg for getting me into MMA
by Well Read Idiot on Jul 19, 2010 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Definitely a credible opponent.
It’s just to me, he’s about as exciting as a bag of wet sand, in the cage and out of it.
Actually, he fights a lot like the current version of GSP, so that fight probably won’t end up being too “exciting” from a casual fans point of view. I/m sure that it’s going to be a great technical fight, but I don’t think it’s going to do much in the way of showing these guys off in a positive light to the casuals. To much wrestling and BJJ bores your average (american) fan, sad as it is to say.
Also, his striking is pretty low level, and I can see him getting T/KO’d by a few folks in the WW division, so he may never even get the chance to fight Georges.
Oh well, enough about the negatives of Jake. He worked his way up, and earned his spot in the UFC. Good luck to him, and here’s hoping he gets a decent striking game and starts opening up a bit more. More exciting = more $$$. :P
"The path to enlightenment is through suffering"
by RearNakedChoker on Jul 19, 2010 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions
American?
Do you think that too much positional wrestling and BJJ entertains the Japanese or British or Canadian fans any more than American fans?
Google Ron Paul!
I wouldn't know. I'm American ;)
The only reason I added the (american) is because I didn’t want to speak for other cultures that I’m not intimately familiar with. Reason being, I don’t want to be one of “those” (americans) who think they can speak for the whole world. :)
In my time watching Pride, Dream, Sengoku, etc. I’ve gotten the impression that the Japanese fans do appreciate technical BJJ and positional dominance more than my American bretheren, which is where my comments stemmed from. I don’t really know enough about Canadian & British fans to make any statements regarding their level of enjoyment of wrestling & BJJ, which is why I qualified my statement with the (american).
:)
"The path to enlightenment is through suffering"
by RearNakedChoker on Jul 19, 2010 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Stop thinking so hard. Most of the people here just want to see good fights between elite competition. leave the entertainment to the casuals
by destructivist on Jul 19, 2010 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions
That is true, but
The so-called “casuals” are the future of MMA as a sport – and the sport will not continue its growth if the only people it appeals to are the “hardcore” fans.
"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
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 11:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
And in time, likely before the end of this year, the so called schism between “casual” and “hardcore” will start to close up.
by destructivist on Jul 20, 2010 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions
When was the last time the UFC signed a star?
The only two I can think of (excluding resigning) were Lesnar and Rampage and even Rampage wasn’t known by the casual fans and needed an introduction.
Historically the UFC has made and even let walk a lot more stars than they have signed.
Strikeforce can snicker all they want
but they might want to consider the credibility cost of openly cutting their reigning MW champ.
I suspect the UFC walked into its deal with Jake knowing full well that he doesn’t really move the needle — particularly with casual fans.
What he does do is reinforce the (accurate) image that the UFC is home to the world’s best fighters, and that the number two organization really isn’t close.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
by Dave Strummer on Jul 19, 2010 5:16 PM EDT reply actions 7 recs
This is my feeling as well
I think people who are debating whether or not the UFC has signed a star are looking at this all wrong, because really what stars are out there to be signed? This is the UFC signing one more solid fighter to add to their roster and he could come in, lose three straight and it wouldn’t matter because he wasn’t brought in to be a star.
"I thought I was getting raped by Freddy Mercury."
- Tank Abbot
on his decision loss to Dan Severn in 1995
This is true.
People complain when they bring in Toney for a “Freak Show” fight.
People Still complain when they sign one of the top fighters in the world.
Seriously… WTF?
No one is really complaining. Just saying it’s not a huge deal and it’s not. It’d be like if Strikeforce signed Fitch. He’s top 5 in his weight class and one of the best but for the most part no one would care.
by Johnnynumber5 on Jul 19, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Henderson had a whole season of reality TV and a huge knockout on the biggest show in history. That’s a bad comparison. You’re better than that…
by Jonathan Snowden on Jul 19, 2010 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions
..and his Strikeforce debut not drawing was wholly Shields’ fault.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
by Charles Awad on Jul 19, 2010 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Sarcasm FTW
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
To me there are two points of interest in the Shields signing
1) that the UFC has signed a top WW. One of the few remaining top WWs that GSP has defeated yet. Perhaps the only one left so that he has officially cleared out his weight class.
2) Did Shields screw up his own negotiations by not effectively using Strikeforce? On the business side of the sport, that’s a fairly interesting question to look into.
There is a legit possibility that the low ball offer from the UFC
is more than Strikeforce would have given him anyways.
Possibly. But that doesn’t mean that he might not have been able to extract more out of the UFC if he hadn’t removed the Strikeforce option from his quiver.
I don't think that kind of bluff would have worked...
As I think even leading up the Henderson/Shields fight that SF effectively showed they weren’t that interested in having him around.
It was interesting to hear Frank talking shit about Shields in that fight.
by A K I R A on Jul 19, 2010 10:00 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Frank really developed a mad-on for Shields for that Mayhem fight...
Which was a boring ass fight. But from the way Frank talked, you’d think Shields had never finished a fight before in his life.
Frank is a promoter more than a commentator for SF
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
by donkeypunch on Jul 19, 2010 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions
who said
They lowballed him? Maybe they took a look at his existing contract, jacked up the price off the bat and that is what drove coker & co to release him?
by destructivist on Jul 19, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Shields screwed himself by sitting with Dana White during Faber vs. Aldo. He made it really clear that he really, really, really wanted to go to the UFC and it was a slap in the face to StrikeForce. I’m not surprised they didn’t give him much of an offer. Why go out of your way for a guy who makes it totally clear he’s leaving? It’s not that they shouldn’t have made any offer to Jake Shields at all, it’s that getting into a bidding war for Shields and losing, which is what would almost certainly have happened if they got into a bidding war, would just make them look all the more pathetic. Assuming they made Shields a reasonable offer or two first, this was probably the best thing they could have done. If he wanted to be treated like a Champion he shouldn’t have acted like he was about to throw his title in a garbage can.
Strikeforce can snicker all they want but they might want to consider the credibility cost of openly cutting their reigning MW champ.
Bautista will bring the credibility back.
by truck on Jul 19, 2010 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
It aslo has to make Strikeforce a little worried about what could eventually happen to two of its other champs in Gilbert Melendez and Nick Diaz. I mean they are all teammates here, and they have all either talked about fighting guys in the UFC, or had UFC people mention them.
We all know Jake isn’t the most exciting fighter in the whole world. but like you said, he’s one of the top fighters in the world. And it hurts Strikeforce that they lost him. And him being exciting or not doesn’t nearly hurt the UFC as much.
And people will probably “shrug their collective shoulders” at that too, apparently.
http://www.instrength.com
Nobody knows or cares about non UFC fighters enough to make a fuss...
Rampage’s driving (out of the ring) got almost as much press (outside of the MMA media) got almost as much press as a Strikeforce brawl (inside the ring).
Teammates fighting for different major promotions happens all the damn time. And I’m sure Dana White would love both those guys but they both have Champion’s Clauses, so until they lose they’re with StrikeForce. Jake Shields only didn’t have a Champion’s Clause because his contract was picked up by EliteXC. This begs the question why they would have bothered to put him in any high-profile matches without him agreeing to re-do his contract with a Champion’s Clause (they could have offered to also pay him for money in exchange), but that’s beside the point.
Anyway aside from maybe Sarah Kaufmann, I’m pretty sure all of StrikeForce’s champions are bound until they lose now.
Strikeforce has worse credibility issues
than cutting Shields.
If you fight, you fight. If you hope, you hope.
If Coker could nut-up and treat M-1/Fedor as they did Shields
They would go along way towards regaining respect among fans.
"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
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 5:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
And losing it with fighters
They treated Jake very very poorly. There is a happy medium.
"I thought I was getting raped by Freddy Mercury."
- Tank Abbot
on his decision loss to Dan Severn in 1995
I doubt that
I suspect most fighters would enjoy seeing Fedor/M-1 finally be treated like they treated everyone else.
Nevertheless, your point about a happy medium is valid, at least for all other fighters.
"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
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 6:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
could be a legendary card. word out there is Tito wants to make this his return back to the octagon as well. not a tito fan, but he can def hype a fight
"she told me she was on the pill." me
Tito vs. Stephan Bonnar?
I throw raps that attack like the Japs on Pearl Harbor/MC's be out like bank robbers/Fleeing the scene, to be a sole survivor/DJ the getaway driver/Tried to dip but he dive, I socialize on vocal vibes/On tracks stabbed up with razor sharp knives
by Anthony Pace on Jul 19, 2010 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Tito vs. Hamill
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
by donkeypunch on Jul 19, 2010 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
They’d turn it down. They’re very close.
Perhaps my best years are gone. When there was a chance of happiness. But I wouldn't want them back. Not with the fire in me now. No, I wouldn't want them back.
by jebushchrist on Jul 19, 2010 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Tito vs. Vera
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
Yuss!
Perhaps my best years are gone. When there was a chance of happiness. But I wouldn't want them back. Not with the fire in me now. No, I wouldn't want them back.
by jebushchrist on Jul 19, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
"I train to avoid surprises. For me, that's the successful fighting."
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
by donkeypunch on Jul 19, 2010 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
if Dana puts Tito against Bones, you know it’s out of pure spite, nothing more. the guy is coming off neck surgery and a fight w/Bones would be brutal. I like the Bonnar idea
"she told me she was on the pill." me
I think Tito would demand a winnable fight
I throw raps that attack like the Japs on Pearl Harbor/MC's be out like bank robbers/Fleeing the scene, to be a sole survivor/DJ the getaway driver/Tried to dip but he dive, I socialize on vocal vibes/On tracks stabbed up with razor sharp knives
by Anthony Pace on Jul 19, 2010 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Tito is fighting Arona in December
It’s close to booked
I'm a man who discovered the wheel and built the Eiffel Tower out of metal and brawn. That's what kind of man I am. You're just a woman with a small brain. With a brain a third the size of us. It's science
WOAH WOAH WOAH WOAH WOAH
this is not my batman cup.
by Body Triangle on Jul 20, 2010 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions
i thought Dana and Tito were friends now? That would be very unfriendly, and cruel of Dana to do to him, haha
I think at that point
Dana was still counting Rua as somewhat washed-up and was doing Chuck a favor if anything, given Rua’s name and rep.
"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
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 5:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
and Jardine and Franklin…..oh Chuck’s chin, oh Chuck’s chin, where art though??!! such a sad ending to the career of my favorite fighter.
"she told me she was on the pill." me
Ain't that the truth...
I don’t even want him to fight Tito now, given the state of his chin. Can you imagine if he’s KO’d by fucking Tito?
A). We’d never hear the end of it.
B). Idk how he would react to that – might be too much to bear…
Unavoidable side effect of having an iron chin as your striking defense I suppose…
Damn!
"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
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 6:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Dave Meltzer kind of agrees (via FightOpinion):
"Honestly, the less they show of him the better. You showcase people to their strengths and hide their weaknesses. You look at that for every person and then expose them accordingly. Either a guy with no sub defense and takedown defense, or hide him on the undercards where nobody can see him except the local ticket buyers, preferably on a Vegas show where nobody shows up until late. Having people sleep through Jon Fitch fights does less to make them want to see him against GSP again. However, if they never saw those fights, and marketed a 15 fight winning streak and had people talk him up, they wouldn’t know enough to not want to see him.
-
"they should talk about his win streak, have other fighters talk about him, never air him on television (unless they sign Melvin Manhoef) and show him training. The thing is, GSP will get him over on promos but if people actually saw him fight, they won’t believe GSP when he talks about what a threat he is."
by John Nash on Jul 19, 2010 5:22 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
I wonder if all these guys would shit on Meltzer as hard as they do Snowden?
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
Go to Pro Wrestling Only and you'll find a bunch of bitter old smarks.
My avatar has Bas Rutten and Terry Funk in it...therefore it's the manliest avatar on SB Nation.
Change the fighters names in that quote, and I could swear he’s talking about pro wrestling. I actually puked in my mouth a little bit.
Batista is awesome at both.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
by Charles Awad on Jul 19, 2010 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Sure
Your ability to utilize the crowd’s cheers is like wrestling’s version thereof.
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 19, 2010 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I notice you left out Zach Arnold's take on those comments ....
This is a real sport. As much as I’m sure ABC or other networks didn’t want to air New Jersey Devil NHL games when they were the masters of the ‘neutral zone trap,’ they aired the games because, hey, it’s a sport.
Dave’s pro-wrestling and business sense here is the foundation for this logic
Meltzer obviously is let his inner wrasslin’ fanboy come out to play when he made those comments.
Give him one or two wins in the UFC, with Rogan and Goldberg putting over what a threat he is to GSP and how excited they are to have in the Octagon, and all of a sudden Shields is in the main event of one of the biggest welterweight title fights in years.
While he may not put on the stereotypical exciting fight (personally, I find him exciting to watch fight and enjoyed the Mayhem fight a lot), he also was never really marketed as a star by Strikeforce. Strikeforce/Showtime/CBS can market MMA anomalies – Kimbo, Carano, Fedor – fairly well, but they have never shown the ability to market a more regular fighter. Dan Henderson went from being one of the biggest stars in the sport to headlining the card that “set a new record for futility” on CBS.
Is Shields the second coming of Brock Lesnar in terms of PPV buys? Certainly not, but I think trying to determine how well he’ll do and be perceived by the UFC fans based on his past in Strikeforce is a futile effort.
I can say this:
I will buy every PPV Jake Shields is on. Period. Hey may not be a draw and he may be a “boring fighter”, but dude is running an 8-0 record, beat a very good Dan Henderson (say what you will about his conditioning – hindsight being 20/20 and all that), and has been a very respectable person inside and out of the cage (Jason Miller debacle aside).
I will buy every PPV he is on simply because people hate on him so damn much.
I’ll get every PPV he’s on because I enjoy watching high level MMA.
by McEwen on Jul 19, 2010 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Strikeforce are snickering at the UFC? Wow it can’t get any better, lovely piece.
"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 19, 2010 5:38 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
your read the article?
"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 19, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn ...
Thats what I call SNICKERING!
by Johnnynumber5 on Jul 19, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m excited to see how he does. For me the Hendo fight opened a lot of eyes, not a lot of people gave him a lick of a chance against Hendo (myself included) and he really put an exclamation point on that fight.
I sort of wanted to see him start at 185 since to me that division is the weakest but I can see why they’d want to keep him at 170 given the stranglehold GSP has there and the huge draw that he is.. They need to keep him in the limelight and bringing in one of the best non-UFC fighters is a great idea.
The Shields signing is just a small peice of the big picture for Zuffa
He was one of the minor stumbling blocks in the way of their monopoly of each division’s top 10. Now he’s not. Job done
Travis Lutter is not the Michael Jordan of BJJ
WW division is now completely locked down by the UFC
by destructivist on Jul 19, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Just needs Nick Diaz now
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
That was a bad oversight on my part. 99% locked down?
by destructivist on Jul 19, 2010 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Technically, Shields was a free agent after the fight, but he made it very clear that he was heading to the UFC.
I think what Nate was getting at was that Shields leaving SF seemed like a foregone conclusion at that point. Shields wasn’t happy at SF, and SF didn’t seem to care. The assumption was SF puts Hendo against Shields, Hendo beats him, and they’ve successfully nabbed a UFC MW/LHW while knocking off a potential WW for the UFC. Surprise.
The UFC machine is well oiled and firing on all cylinders. 2010 looks to be another record setting year at the box office. Shields will join most of the world’s top ten fighters on the Zuffa payroll. But hopefully they know what they’ve bought-the ultimate channel changer.
I think it’s more than a little too soon to imagine what the UFC will potentially do or fail to do with Jake Shields. It’s true he wasn’t a draw in SF. But who has been? Cung, Gina Carano? I don’t think even Fedor has been that much of a draw.
I was referring to this part of the article -
Our own Kid Nate set the stage for what followed:
Jake Shields shocked the world by shutting down an out of shape and visibly aged Dan Henderson to retain his Strikeforce middleweight title.
Shields went into the fight a free agent, despite his title. UFC head Dana White has spoken openly of wanting to sign Shields. It’s no secret his welterweight division needs a challenger for George St Pierre.
Ironically Dan Henderson had just signed with Strikeforce after failing to come to terms with the UFC post his Knock Out of the Year against Michael Bisping at UFC 100. Dana White’s eye for talent and shrewdness is as good as ever. CBS is now stuck with an expensive and apparently done Dan Henderson and Jake Shields is free to “move up” to the UFC.
Technically, Shields was a free agent after the fight, but he made it very clear that he was heading to the UFC.
I don't know, Mr. Snowden.
I would say that most think he’s a very nice addition to the UFC roster, instantly adding intrigue to the upper echelon of 170 and 185. And I think if you’re being honest, you have to admit that Strikeforce can use all of the world class fighters they can get, particularly those that have won and defended championship belts on their shows against legends.
What is the speculation as far as money from the UFC is concerned? If they did indeed “lowball” him after the Strikeforce pulled out, then that would be a shame. One thing I’m sure of is that Shields will give a lot of big-name UFC welterweights a lot of trouble and THAT in itself will be interesting to see.
We’ve already seen how Shields will fare in the UFC.
by Johnnynumber5 on Jul 19, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
completely dominant bar GSP? I bet Shields can’t wait.
"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 19, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions
So, he will win twelve fights? Sound's like a good career move.
My avatar has Bas Rutten and Terry Funk in it...therefore it's the manliest avatar on SB Nation.
Pretty much ...
He’ll have to win 7 in a row just to get recognition because his style is boring and no one (save for the elitists) will care to see him fight a main event. I think he’s basically a Jon Fitch clone; great positional dominance, little finishing power, lack of killer instinct and an inability to be champion. Since Dana basically hand picked Shields after the EXC dissolution and he seems to hate Fitch with a passion (likely because of aka affiliation) Shields probably won’t have to go quite as hard as Fitch did to earn his keep in the UFC.
It’s no secret that the UFC can create stars even when they aren’t deserved through manipulation of the media and they can hold deserving fighters back because of vendettas. Shields will get his title crack after a win over the hitman, he’ll lose to GSP and be right back where he started.
by Johnnynumber5 on Jul 20, 2010 1:08 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
It wasnt Jake Shields fault those CBS cards bombed, it was the fact that Strikeforce is abysmal at promoting their events. He was hardly even shown in the few spots they did run on CBS. The UFCs marketing machince can fix that for Jake, and the UFC can surround him with a better cards and fighters that actually do draw. Jake has no less personality and is no more boring then GSP and he is a huge star. The bottom line is the general public will buy whoever the UFC sells them as a star.
by Dean Butler on Jul 19, 2010 6:06 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Shields signed with UFC 2/3 times this month so forgive the lack of enthusiasm
Also we know it would happen for months, of course people aren’t jumping around. But he will make a great contender at WW with his solid wrestling and his submission skills you can promote him as an anti GSP weapon (forgive the stretch but they did it with hardy and he wasn’t even close). Also it would be a perfect transition fight for a move at MW… just saying.
I'm a lover not a fighter
What a joke
You guys would all be creaming your collective jeans if SF picked up a current UFC champ, regardless of how big of a craw he was.
i think we need a poll.
"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 19, 2010 6:11 PM EDT reply actions
1/ Snowden needs to burn in hell
2/Jake Shield is boring
3/BROCKLESNAR!!!
Vote
I'm a lover not a fighter
How about Brock Lesnar and Jake Shields vs Snowden?
My avatar has Bas Rutten and Terry Funk in it...therefore it's the manliest avatar on SB Nation.
Very simple
Is Jake Shields hot?
1) Yes
2) Hell Yes
by ufc4 on Jul 19, 2010 6:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd because...
…I remember. :)
"The path to enlightenment is through suffering"
by RearNakedChoker on Jul 19, 2010 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions
BE, via Snowden, Manages to Crap on Anything UFC
Once again, BE has done its level best to spin news concerning UFC into crap that can be quickly dropped on the UFC promotion. Assertions to the contrary just don’t cut it when it is a constant feed.
Is somebody putting a gun to your head, requiring you to read this?
My avatar has Bas Rutten and Terry Funk in it...therefore it's the manliest avatar on SB Nation.
no but is there any reason why this has to be spun negatively?
"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 19, 2010 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
When you see that the writer is Snowden, what else do you expect?
When it’s something about the old days of MMA, you can guarantee that it’ll be something negative.
My avatar has Bas Rutten and Terry Funk in it...therefore it's the manliest avatar on SB Nation.
Very nagative you are, much hatred i sence in you
"Everyone has a game plan, untell they get hit." -Mike Tyson
whoopdie doo
so jake shields goes from fighting robbie lawler, mayhem miller and dan henderson on cbs and showtime to fighting martin kampmann on ppv. whoopdie freakin doo.
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
Jake Shields will have plenty of time to fight because
HE LIVES IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!
by Body Triangle on Jul 20, 2010 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Are you suggesting Zuffa didn’t know all this when they signed Shields? They didn’t sign Shields because they expect him to draw a million PPV buys, they signed him because he’s a great fighter, and probably for a lot less than Strikeforce paid the guy Shields just wrecked in his last fight.
by ufc4 on Jul 19, 2010 6:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Actually Zuffa probably got him at a great deal, since Strikeforce wasn’t competing for him.
Top welterweight, potential GSP opponent, #1 fighter from a promotion they want to cripple, and a heck of a lot cheaper than what they were probably willing to pay. I would definitely say Zuffa got a heck of a deal.
He's also the anti-Paul Daley.
He’s polite, presentable, a young Rich Franklin in demeanor. They have the Koscheks and the Sonnens, it’s not a bad thing to add a few more “faces” that can fight…
I always thought if marketed right, Shields could be a decent attraction for women. He’s a really good looking dude, a vegetarian, he is charismatic (even though some would totally disagree) and he has a totally polite demeanor.
"Caol Uno was like Mutoh. He developed into a star overseas and then returned to his home country a much bigger deal. Dokojanuse Mishima is like Kobashi because they both do moonsaults. Don Frye is like Stan Hansen because they are both fat dumb rednecks with mustaches." - Jonathan Snowden
by RagingNoodles on Jul 19, 2010 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
This is funny considering Nashville.
by Jonathan Snowden on Jul 19, 2010 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Not really
He showed he wasn’t a K.J. Noons. It didn’t hurt him at all, and probably made him more marketable. He wasn’t the one laying the laces as part of the mob, he just didn’t get pushed around by Miller.
I bet SF is real happy that one of their best fighters
Keep Firing, Assholes!
Truculence, Belligerence, & Pugnacity
I’m intrigued…
I'm a lover not a fighter
by spectaa on Jul 19, 2010 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
got the fuck out of Dodge as soon as he could, and is close friends with their WW and LW champs and will tell them all about how the grass is greener on the other side.
Keep Firing, Assholes!
Truculence, Belligerence, & Pugnacity
and how the grass is stickier on the other side
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
actually when i think about it strikeforce are probably snickering
"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 19, 2010 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Comes down to credibility in the long run, dude
They basically swapped Hendo for Shields, ratings draw aside, that doesn’t allow for much snickering.
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
Well they swapped an aging high paid Henderson away for a young champion that just got paid whatever the UFC felt he was worth. Possibly a repeat performance when Vera’s contract expires?
"I am going to burn your fucking house down, but you will blow me first"
by Barack Lesnar on Jul 19, 2010 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
i was joking btw
"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 19, 2010 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Shit on me
Sarcasm detector powering down
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
boom goes the dynamite
"I am going to burn your fucking house down, but you will blow me first"
by Barack Lesnar on Jul 19, 2010 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Jonathan Snowden Writes Another Article That Completely Misses The Point: BE Readers Shrug Their Collective Shoulders
by ufc4 on Jul 19, 2010 6:32 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 15 recs
I think you missed the point. If Shields isn’t a draw then people don’t care about what he does. Which is essentially the point of the article. Remember…the hardcores make up a very small portion of the audience.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
Another thing to remember: Snowden is writing to the hardcores.
by ufc4 on Jul 19, 2010 6:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Casuals don’t shrug anything because they don’t even know it happened.
I'm a lover not a fighter
by spectaa on Jul 19, 2010 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Exactly
The only thing that is clear to all humans is simplicity.
by MrTechnique420 on Jul 19, 2010 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
No, he isn't.
He is writing to the passers by. The hardcores on this site are the ones who leave these comments. Which is barely even a little bit of the total traffic they get. And Snowden brings in the most traffic.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
That’s not true, casuals don’t go to sites like BE to read MMA news.
by ufc4 on Jul 19, 2010 7:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
there are casuals and then there are casuals
at this point we’re getting more traffic than can be accounted for by the estimated 200,000 US hardcore fans.
But we also have casual readers and hardcore commenters. Snowden’s stuff gets read. The numbers don’t lie.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
A Query
If Strikeforce and Coker are so smart, why didn’t they negotiate with Shields to bump up the price Zuffa would have to pay for him? Allowing Zuffa to get him on the cheap seems like bad business.
Perhaps my best years are gone. When there was a chance of happiness. But I wouldn't want them back. Not with the fire in me now. No, I wouldn't want them back.
Because basically Zuffa has unlimited funds when compared to Strikeforce. Getting Zuffa to pay him an extra $100,000 a fight would be great, but it wouldn’t hurt Zuffa in the least. And what happens if they make a ridiculous offer to actually make Zuffa pay and he decides to stay? Oh, shit!
And that makes no sense to me. Is that any way to run a business?
Perhaps my best years are gone. When there was a chance of happiness. But I wouldn't want them back. Not with the fire in me now. No, I wouldn't want them back.
by jebushchrist on Jul 19, 2010 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Believe it or not
All business is personal.
Especially the fight business (see Dana White for reference).
Dana White can afford to be an asshole to fighters, Scott Coker can’t.
by Brad Ackerson on Jul 19, 2010 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
No, it’s not. I just fired someone today who was a friend. He wasn’t doing his job and he was hurting business, so I cut him loose. He hurt my pocket so he had to go. That’s business.
Perhaps my best years are gone. When there was a chance of happiness. But I wouldn't want them back. Not with the fire in me now. No, I wouldn't want them back.
by jebushchrist on Jul 20, 2010 3:04 AM EDT up reply actions
see Keith Jardine also.
"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 20, 2010 5:00 AM EDT up reply actions
I have a feeling
You knew when you hired him that he wasn’t the “best” person for the job, but the personal won over the smart business person in you. A friend is seldom the best person to hire, unless they know the biz better than you (see Dana White for reference).
I think my point is, that even when you run million (and billion) dollar companies, you will still make many decisions based more on emotion than pure business strategy. There are countless examples.
I didn’t hire him to begin with.
Also, you went from “all business is personal” to “many decisions based on emotion” pretty quickly. I’m satisfied with your backtrack and will pursue this matter no further.
Thank you.
Perhaps my best years are gone. When there was a chance of happiness. But I wouldn't want them back. Not with the fire in me now. No, I wouldn't want them back.
by jebushchrist on Jul 20, 2010 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions
What?
Shields set a new record for futility, attracting less than 3 million viewers, down 30 percent from November’s subpar performance.
Henderson/Shields was not a great headliner but don’t you think the fact that the other two mediocre title fights also had something to do with the main event attracting few?
But hopefully they know what they’ve bought-the ultimate channel changer.
They would’ve cut Jon Fitch a long time ago if you’re going to use that.
If you’re the UFC right now, it might be time to wonder why Strikeforce is snickering. It might be time to wonder why the internet is not ablaze with the news. The answer is simple. Jake Shields is not a draw.
Strikeforce is sweating, not snickering. They are too desperate to be snickering.
ESPN had Shields to the UFC on it’s ticker. That’s huge news to me. He may not be a draw but the UFC can turn him into one really easily.
The Dos Equis guy wishes he was Brock Lesnar.
by SSreporters on Jul 19, 2010 6:39 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
How many main events has Jon Fitch been in? How many times has he fought on a Spike card?
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
Four times.
My avatar has Bas Rutten and Terry Funk in it...therefore it's the manliest avatar on SB Nation.
On Spike, one main event.
My avatar has Bas Rutten and Terry Funk in it...therefore it's the manliest avatar on SB Nation.
No.
He has main evented one show. UFC 87 against GSP.
How did you come up with 4? And he has never main evented a Spike show.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
You asked how many times he fought on a Spike card.
My avatar has Bas Rutten and Terry Funk in it...therefore it's the manliest avatar on SB Nation.
Co-main on UFC Fight Night: Stout vs. Fisher
Which featured a rare stoppage win.
UFC 87 he got a title shot and was the main event.
He’s also co-main eventing UFC 117.
The Dos Equis guy wishes he was Brock Lesnar.
Haven't People Learned
To just stopped reading when they hit the phrase “Kid Nate”
I don't have five bucks, but I do have a cookie.
My avatar has Bas Rutten and Terry Funk in it...therefore it's the manliest avatar on SB Nation.
Does it come with a glass of milk?
"I am going to burn your fucking house down, but you will blow me first"
by Barack Lesnar on Jul 19, 2010 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Do I look Donald F'n Trump?
My avatar has Bas Rutten and Terry Funk in it...therefore it's the manliest avatar on SB Nation.
yes?
"I am going to burn your fucking house down, but you will blow me first"
by Barack Lesnar on Jul 19, 2010 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Fine, milk.
My avatar has Bas Rutten and Terry Funk in it...therefore it's the manliest avatar on SB Nation.
2% none of that water with a hint of flour they call skim milk
"I am going to burn your fucking house down, but you will blow me first"
by Barack Lesnar on Jul 19, 2010 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions
and you've got it
banned.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Nate Wilcox on Jul 19, 2010 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Fine, here's you're damn cookies and milk.
My avatar has Bas Rutten and Terry Funk in it...therefore it's the manliest avatar on SB Nation.
Oh no you di'int
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
by donkeypunch on Jul 19, 2010 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Just give me a rec anyways
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
That’s what I’m talkin bout
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
Say what?
Walking the line between intelligence and ignorance since 1985
@deowade
by Damon O. on Jul 19, 2010 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Had to steal my thunder
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
by donkeypunch on Jul 19, 2010 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Jake Shields has tremendous potential as a draw
This guy is sellable:
Good Looking
Humble
Tremendous Story-Single Dad fighting to put food on the table for his little girl (Look for Jake’s family to heavily played up during the 121 Countdown show)
The UFC marketing machine will turn Jake into someone who could sell 200-300,000 buys on his own.
Jean Snowden...
I am not impress by your performance. I need fresh opponent for to unleash da riddum on. For da love of God I am fighting Dan ’ardy and Josh Koshek. It does not madder if Jake Shield is a draw, I sell 770 000 PPVs against Dan fuckking ’ardy, imagine ’ow good I do agains de guy oo ’as been in 3 CBS main event.
Keep Firing, Assholes!
Truculence, Belligerence, & Pugnacity
by Ubernoober on Jul 19, 2010 6:47 PM EDT reply actions 45 recs
I needed that.
"I am going to burn your fucking house down, but you will blow me first"
by Barack Lesnar on Jul 19, 2010 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Just lovely
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
Oh GSP
How you brighten my days.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
by Charles Awad on Jul 19, 2010 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions
You've really struck a vein of gold here
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 19, 2010 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions
No one else should be allowed to impersonate GSP after this one.
GOLD.
Walking the line between intelligence and ignorance since 1985
@deowade
I think when you get 40 recs, that should be the comment that closes the thread
…and I think this needs nine more recs.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
by Dave Strummer on Jul 19, 2010 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions
This isn’t a thread and we aren’t a message board.
by Jonathan Snowden on Jul 19, 2010 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Well...
it does kind of feel like a thread. On Sherdog at least. You know, you post a thread and everyone shits on it and states “what the fuck are you smoking.” This has that white belt Sherdog feel for me.
I didn't call it a message board
and this is most definitely a comment thread.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
by Dave Strummer on Jul 20, 2010 7:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Shields signing with the UFC is a big deal.
I don’t think fans were shrugging their shoulders. Jake coming to the UFC was no big surprise. He tried to get out of his EliteXC contract, and ever since then, people have felt one way or another he would end up in the UFC. What we have here is a man who build his credentials on fights outside of the UFC. His signing is yet another move by the UFC to have all the best talent under one roof. Now we get to see just how good he actually is. It’s yet another continued move towards having a linear categorization of who is the best in a division and where everyone else ranks.
oh please
I’ve been one of many to point out the negatives of Shields’ fighting style vis a vis excitement, finishes, etc. and I’m more than shrugging my shoulders at this. Then again I, and pretty much all of the people reading the article and commenting aren’t the average fan. We’re the diehards who do appreciate his skillset and how good he is. I can’t wait for the title eliminator shot between him and Fitch tho
http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/
by Cory Braiterman on Jul 19, 2010 7:00 PM EDT reply actions
I like that matchup more than GSP/Shields
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
Meltzer today:
The much talked about Jake Shields vs. Martin Kampmann match, Shields’ UFC debut, is expected to be signed today for the 10/23 show in Anaheim, underneath Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez.
http://www.instrength.com
Now this is where the UFC shines. The UFC hype machine will take over. Put him on a card where a million sets of eyeballs will be watching. If Shields has a stoppage win, he is instantly a much better draw than he is now. You bet your ass the UFC is going to promote the hell out of him. They can turn him into an average draw in one fight.
Hard core MMA fan since UFC 99
Someday, just maybe, people will learn to appreciate the ground game. It’s all about control. The chess match. I love it. I also like watching somebody get their teeth knocked into their mouth guard…
"Negative, negative. I gotta stay lean and lightning and ready to fight." Capt. H.M. Murdock
I like Shields' ground game
And I don’t like Fitch’s, Maynard’s and Sonnen’s. For me there is a big difference between submission wrestlers working for finishes, and positional wrestlers working for points. One style of fighting I find fascinating, the other leaves me cold.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
by Dave Strummer on Jul 19, 2010 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
UFC hasn't even had to chance to promote him yet.
I am very interested in Jake Shields. Unfortunately they could not really promote him before now, even though there was a lot of opportunity in the last TUF season when he was one of Chuck’s coaches.
I am looking forward to his entry into the UFC, and I’m glad they got him away from the jokes who run Strikeforce.
Off topic:
Frank Shamrock said he was proud to retire from that organization? How unfortunate for him…
they just picked up one of the last remaining non-UFC top WWs in MMA
I am not a Zuffa employee and have no stake in the company
all i know is we are going to see another top ranked fighter compete against other top ranked fighters
why exactly would I care about his drawing power again?
shrugs
I just don't get it.
Is the point of these articles to make us want to go to other blogs to get our MMA fix? I really enjoy this site but I have lost count at how many times I’ve read something on here and said to myself “What the fuck?”
The recent Kid Nate article about the Rampage/Machida and Evans/Lil Nog really was informing to me. That is until I got to the last part of it.
This site is starting to feel like a political website. You have guys that are just so radical with some of their UFC hate it really comes off as someone that is emotionally disturbed.
by Crazynutts on Jul 19, 2010 8:01 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I would no longer watch this sport
if the UFC only picked up fighters because they’d sell ppvs. I want to see the best fighters, not the most compelling background stories and flashiest performers. That’s a road that leads to undead fighters from Death Valley and Voodoo Shamans.
Only as good as your last fight...
I get why most website fans say Shields is boring, but really, the dude had 2 decisions against incredibly tough to finish guys and is branded boring forever?
Before Mayhem and Hendo, Shields had 8 straight finishes in a row. Mayhem has been stopped twice in his entire career, Henderson has been stopped 3 times by guys with names like “Nogueira” and “Anderson Silva”. Jake Shields has dominant performances against both guys in gritty 5 rounders and gets labeled a shitty fighter for it? No thanks.
I know BE likes to run articles educating some of the fanbase that isn’t as up to speed with the non-UFC happenings in the world, especially in the older years…Shields offers a perfect opportunity for that, but sadly this article is just piling on the “LOL SHIELDS IS BORING LOL”
by Jason H. on Jul 19, 2010 8:19 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
For fun times...
Compare to a guy like Rampage Jackson, who has decisioned 6 of his last 10 (and lost 2 of those) but he’s not labeled boring somehow.
because he strikes
and slams and beats people up. gives the fans what they want to see
by Body Triangle on Jul 20, 2010 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Facepalm
Dunno, Snowden. My shoulders are definitely not shrugging. Shields is one of the best fighters on the planet who isn’t in the UFC…and now he is. He’s on a 14-fight winning streak and I thought his fight with Mayhem was excellent. And he just beat Dan frickin’ Henderson!?! Being as how the news of his signing made the scroll on ESPN today, I’d say wasn’t exactly not big news.
by MMAmadman on Jul 19, 2010 9:34 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Brock Lesnar isn’t impressive because he isn’t a technical wizard. But, Jake Shields is irrelevant because he is a boring technical wizard? What exactly are you impressed by Snowden.
by Dropkick434 on Jul 19, 2010 9:49 PM EDT reply actions 7 recs
well played
a life: it's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come -Lester Freamon
by eastcoastatlas on Jul 19, 2010 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
When you can get your opponents legs to 12 'oclock...
That’s when you know you had a good slam.
"The path to enlightenment is through suffering"
by RearNakedChoker on Jul 19, 2010 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions
WOW
your losing me as a reader BE YOUR ONLY GOOD FOR YOUR LINKS to other mma sites. you are like tomas rios/ frankliln(from that mma show) on one hand you’ll say anything to get a click.. but what you say shows you try but cant keep up with the conversation.
try writing whats on your mind instead of just linking other peoples views.. is that really a writer? or a linker?
by waldog on Jul 19, 2010 10:32 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
honestly
I agree. BE links other sites’ stuff fast. If I get a good piece here once in a while, I feel lucky.
alright
But some of these guys pass themselves off as more than bloggers, too.
well since
Jonathan wrote the best book on the history of the sport written to date I think he has that right.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Nate Wilcox on Jul 19, 2010 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Agree 100%
I disagree with Snowden frequently but based on his book alone, he deserves to be heard (read?).
And I don’t know when blogging became a crime. Being a blogger is enough.
Perhaps my best years are gone. When there was a chance of happiness. But I wouldn't want them back. Not with the fire in me now. No, I wouldn't want them back.
by jebushchrist on Jul 20, 2010 3:14 AM EDT up reply actions
but you're also utterly failing to understand the purpose of a blog like this
we turn out about as much original content as Yahoo or Sports Illustrated. Not quite as much as Sherdog or MMA Fighting. But we are also an aggregater and filter. That is we spend all our time surfing the net looking for the latest and greatest so you don’t have to.
Don’t say “you’re only good for your links” and then say “quit linking, be original” unless you want to look stupid.
oh, nevermind.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Nate Wilcox on Jul 19, 2010 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions
It's good to know that you are looking out for us lazy folks.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
by Geno Mrosko on Jul 19, 2010 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions
What are you talking about? BE has plenty of original posts. Leland is consistently writing original content, as is Snowden, and Nate’s Judo Chops are fantastic. And at the end of the day, it’s a blog. The great thing about blogs is that you can do whatever the heck you want with them.
by pud333 on Jul 20, 2010 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
"Waldog"
You sound like a jackass….
Im 24 and have been reading BE for 2 years now… Iv read Sherdog, Junkie, MMAmania, 5ozs, Fightlinker, and many more, but there’s a reason I check BE each morning before I check the weather or my email….
Its cuz they’re the shit.
News, discussion, interviews, multimedia, analysis, creativity… BE’s got it and they do it the RIGHT WAY.
So if you’re unsatisfied, then go elsewhere.
A true MMA fan from the great state of Arkansas.
by MMArazorback on Jul 20, 2010 2:59 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Let's see
SF signs Hendo coming off a huge win on the UFC’s biggest show. They match him up with Shields in a fight to showcase Hendo as their star. Hendo gets beat, and now Shields has gone with his champion standing to the UFC.
Really? Snickering? I’m sure Scott laughed hard during the WEC PPV.
by Revolver on Jul 19, 2010 11:10 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, I’m sure Strikeforce is snickering about losing their most dominant champion to the UFC.
But hey, who needs a boring fighter like Jake Sheilds when you can have a super exciting, world class mixed martial artists like Herschel Walker, Bobby Lashley and maybe even Dave Batista?
And by the way..
I for one am excited as hell to see Jake Sheilds finally get the chance to fight the best welterweight fighters in the world, and I’m sure there are tons of MMA fans who feel the same way I do.
by Brad Ackerson on Jul 19, 2010 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks Zuffa
I’m applauding zuffa for this. They know Jake isn’t good in the ratings but they still took him because they know his skills are awesome. Either they are very confident in their promotion machine or they just want to throw a bone to the hardcores. Either way, I couldn’t be more pleased. This guy could have the belt next year so you have to admire this move since it shows that they are all about the talent.
Your beliefs become your reality.
by Hardy's in your face on Jul 20, 2010 1:32 AM EDT reply actions
This isn’t it at all. People who know Dana understand-this was about taking a bite out of Strikeforce’s backside. Unfortunately for Zuffa, Strikeforce was Brier Rabbit here.
by Jonathan Snowden on Jul 20, 2010 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Yep, it obviously had NOTHING to do with the fact that Shields is a great fighter.
by ufc4 on Jul 20, 2010 10:07 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The light heavyweight Jake Shields has been waiting for a call for three years and counting.
by Jonathan Snowden on Jul 20, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
His name is…
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 20, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I know who it is. What do I win?
"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
For me this was a “shoulder shrug” signing because it was expected. He might have burned his bridge with Strikeforce but I (like most I assume) were expecting him to sign with the UFC after he beat Hendo no matter what. For me it has nothing to do with his brain a draw.
by seanerk88 on Jul 20, 2010 2:33 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Him being a draw*** (stupid iPhone autotext and misspelling v__v)
by seanerk88 on Jul 20, 2010 2:49 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I don’t think the UFC cares, they can make any fight seem compelling with their world class hype machine. Plus there’s a good chance we’ll see Diaz and Gilbert Melendez come to the UFC as a result of this. Then they grab King Mo, Gegard and Overeem and watch Strikeforce fold their tent before the Mayan calender runs out.
Yeah, he gets comments regularly...
…but this entry seems like a blantent troll job and borderline fighter bashing…
Especially since he is a legitmate top 10 (probably top 5) fighter in the WW division who was limited by fighting in an org that did not use Unified Rules.
Its reason enough to be excited that a top 10 guy in his division(possible top 10 p4p fighter) joins an organization where the top talent reside. That Jake Shields is commited to fighting the best in his division unlike that russian guy and his make-believe promotion…
I think a lot of commenters are missing the point/focusing on a tiny part of it,
but seeing as Snowden’s not defendin his stance in the comments, I’m not about to be white knight.
by Marvin Malehooves on Jul 20, 2010 10:54 AM EDT reply actions
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