Guest Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 Strikeforce Releases Shields; Shields Wants Shot at Anderson Silva Wednesday, June 30, 2010 by Loretta Hunt (lhunt@sherdog.com) http://www.cdn.sherdog.com/thumbnail_crop/570/_images/headers/20100630090910_shieldsbig.JPG Strikeforce released its middleweight champion, Jake Shields, from his contract with the organization on Wednesday, according to an industry source with direct knowledge of the negotiations. The 31-year-old Shields had been in a final-phase “matching period” of his recently completed contract with the San Jose, Calif.-based promotion, which allowed him to receive bids from other organizations, including the UFC, that Strikeforce could review and match in order to keep his services. However, the source said Strikeforce waived that contractual right in its final 2-3 weeks and opted to release the Cesar Gracie fighter altogether before the period expired. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker confirmed to Sherdog.com that the promotion informed Jack Shields, the fighter’s manager and father, of the release on Wednesday. Coker would not comment further on the decision. “In the conversation we had today, they said they felt that Jake was leaning towards the UFC. Honestly, we were talking to them with an open mind, though Jake wants to fight the best,” said the elder Shields. “Between Strikeforce and EliteXC, Jake had the chance to fight on Showtime and CBS four or five times against some top fighters like Dan Henderson and Robbie Lawler. Strikeforce gave him great opportunities and exposure. They’ve been nothing but great for Jake.” Shields, who successfully defended his title against former Pride Fighting Championships champion and UFC middleweight Henderson on April 17 in Nashville, Tenn., opted to not negotiate a renewal contract with Strikeforce prior to the bout. The fighter’s contract, which was originally drawn up by Pro Elite and purchased by Strikeforce after the short-lived fight organization went bankrupt in October 2008, also did not contain a standard “champion’s clause,” which could have placed stipulations on Shields’ renegotiations while he remained a titleholder. Prior to news of the release, Jack Shields told Sherdog.com that he submitted the fighter’s asking price to the UFC on Wednesday and was awaiting an initial bid from the rival promotion to pass onto Strikeforce for review. The elder Shields said he submitted figures for a series of bouts he thought requisite if his son fought the top contenders in both the UFC’s welterweight and middleweight divisions. Shields said his son would like to debut as a UFC middleweight, possibly against champion Anderson Silva, as welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre will be tied up with “The Ultimate Fighter” reality TV series and a pending bout with rival coach Josh Koscheck later this year. “We didn’t come to agreement with Strikeforce, but Jake’s excited to challenge himself against the likes of Anderson Silva and others in the UFC,” said Shields. In recent weeks, Strikeforce’s Coker had said the promotion had initial plans to hold a four-, eight-, or even 16-man tournament to crown a new champion if Shields vacated. What's the forum's take on this?..is jake shields worthy of taking on the ufc's top dogs right away?..and who takes over as Strikeforce's top middleweight now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 I really hate to see strikeforce lose this guy. but you cannot deny the draw to want to fight a-silva. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HumanGoing Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 I really hate to see strikeforce lose this guy. but you cannot deny the draw to want to fight a-silva. True enough, but I seriously doubt he will be able to beat Silva. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatBoy Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 He's better off @ WW, but can't match the wrestling of a Fitch, GSP or Koscheck, but should do great against a Hardy or Condit. At MW, he'd be an interesting matchup for Nate & Vitor, but I think Silva would destroy him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 still not convinced this guy should get a ufc title shot right off the gate... sends a bad sign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 Eh, I say why not? Anderson Silva has beaten everyone else in the division anyway. Besides, Shields' resume isnt too shabby, with having just beaten Dan Henderson. When the competition runs out, bring in new meat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Face Kicker Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 1- he shouldn't get a title shot right away. 2- anderson silva would destroy him. 3- gsp would destroy him. 4- i think he's a boring fighter to watch and don't really care if the ufc signs him or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 1- he shouldn't get a title shot right away. 2- anderson silva would destroy him. 3- gsp would destroy him. 4- i think he's a boring fighter to watch and don't really care if the ufc signs him or not. 1- agreed 2- waiting to see how he handles chael-sounds like fail- sonnen 3- battle of who can outgay the other. j/k 4- u need to start appreciating th ground game more, brotha. . seriously though danas just doing it to throw 2 fingers up at scott coker, strikeforce, cbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 he should be fighting for the next in line spot. agasint the likes of Marquardt or sonnen. then silva. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 Eh, I say why not? Anderson Silva has beaten everyone else in the division anyway. Besides, Shields' resume isnt too shabby, with having just beaten Dan Henderson. When the competition runs out, bring in new meat! Well if Akiyama wins this weekend I would think he'd be next in line. Sure he'd only have 2 wins in the UFC, but dude hasn't lost since his 2nd fight in his career. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Face Kicker Posted July 1, 2010 Report Share Posted July 1, 2010 1- agreed 2- waiting to see how he handles chael-sounds like fail- sonnen 3- battle of who can outgay the other. j/k 4- u need to start appreciating th ground game more, brotha. . seriously though danas just doing it to throw 2 fingers up at scott coker, strikeforce, cbs haha, i do appreciate the ground game... when they actually do something on the ground. shields does NOTHING on the ground other than control. he rubbed his nuts on hendo's face for 25 minutes and not once did he even get close to inflicting any damage (other than the psychological damage of having a dude's nuts in your face). the funny part is cbs dropping shields just means that dana can get him for less money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 haha, i do appreciate the ground game... when they actually do something on the ground. shields does NOTHING on the ground other than control. he rubbed his nuts on hendo's face for 25 minutes and not once did he even get close to inflicting any damage (other than the psychological damage of having a dude's nuts in your face). the funny part is cbs dropping shields just means that dana can get him for less money. lets not forget the staph he gave (allegedly) mayhem miller. if his unwashed nuts dont get ya. the staph will. but hes gotta do something to try and win. dude punches like a chic in slow mo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardiffWanderer Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 This seems easy to me. UFC advertises a blown up welterweight who was the Strikeforce champ against Silva and they get the result (hopefully for them) that shows the UFC's dominance. Then they can drop him down to Welter and see how it goes against someone like Dan Hardy first (which is basically a guaranteed win) and then maybe someone like Swick. If he wins that he will get Koscheck (assuming he loses to GSP) and/or Thiago Silva/Fitch. At the point (2 or more years time and everything has gone to plan with him), he is now a UFC guy and be promoted against the Welterweight champion of the time and it is all good for the UFC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backelie Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 Since he just beat Hendo it's not like he's completely untested against "UFC-quality" fighters. I think he'd be a real challenge to anyone but Silva or GSP, and I do think he should be thrown in with a title contender right away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 This seems easy to me. UFC advertises a blown up welterweight who was the Strikeforce champ against Silva and they get the result (hopefully for them) that shows the UFC's dominance. Then they can drop him down to Welter and see how it goes against someone like Dan Hardy first (which is basically a guaranteed win) and then maybe someone like Swick. If he wins that he will get Koscheck (assuming he loses to GSP) and/or Thiago Silva/Fitch. At the point (2 or more years time and everything has gone to plan with him), he is now a UFC guy and be promoted against the Welterweight champion of the time and it is all good for the UFC. Any they say MMA is unlike pro wrestling Hyped up, Jobbed out, Repackaged, Pushed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardiffWanderer Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 Any they say MMA is unlike pro wrestling Hyped up, Jobbed out, Repackaged, Pushed. They've been doing it for the England Football team for many more years than the WWE... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 They've been doing it for the England Football team for many more years than the WWE... ha! good one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 4- i think he's a boring fighter to watch and don't really care if the ufc signs him or not. Agreed 100%. If he signs with the UFC though and gets Silva right away I predict Silva wins in first round by murder. Then they can drop him down to Welter and see how it goes against someone like Dan Hardy first (which is basically a guaranteed win) and then maybe someone like Swick. Even Hardy would destroy him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 I don't really understand why he deserves a shot at the 185 lbs belt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 2, 2010 Report Share Posted July 2, 2010 Shields knew JACARE WAS COMING TO DESTROY HIM IN MW!!! so he left and went to UFC duh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.