Jake Shields vs. Jon Fitch set for vacant WSOF welterweight title

A battle of longtime top contenders will take place for the vacant World Series of Fighting welterweight title in April, with Jon Fitch taking on Jake Shields. The bout was announced by WSOF president Ray Sefo recently. The matchup, which will take place on April 1st in a location to be announced, will be the main event of the card.

The title is vacant because former champion Rousimar Palhares was stripped by the promotion in August following an incident in his bout with Shields. He was handed a two-year ban by the Nevada State Athletic Commission last month for his history of hurting fighters by holding onto submission after the referee had stepped in, including Shields.

Fitch (27-7-1, 1 NC, 3-2 WSOF) defeated Yushin Okami by decision in a title eliminator last month. He was submitted by Palhares in the bout before that.

Shields (31-8-1, 1 NC, 2-0, 1 NC WSOF) had won two straight bouts by submission before his bout with Toquinho, which was flipped to a No Contest.

Also announced for the card was a middleweight title fight between David Branch and Clifford Starks.