It's still not clear what will become of all the fighters who were under contract to EliteXC when that promotion went out of business, but the EliteXC welterweight champion, Jake Shields, thinks he's going to sign with UFC. Not only that, he sounds like he thinks he'll be on the fast track to a title shot against UFC welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre.Newsday reports:
Shields is also upbeat about his future. He predicts he'll land with the UFC, whose president Dana White has shown interest in him.I'm extremely skeptical that Shields would beat St. Pierre, or B.J. Penn, or Thiago Alves, either of whom could be the UFC welterweight champ when and if Shields is in position to fight for a UFC title. But I would be interested in seeing Shields take on a UFC welterweight like Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck, or Diego Sanchez, and if Shields gets a win or two in the Octagon against Top 10 competition, he'd earn a title shot.
"For me, I'm looking for top competition," Shields said. "I want to prove I'm the best fighter in the world. Georges St. Pierre, it's an opportunity to fight him and show I'm the best. ...
"I think I'm gonna be the top 170-pounder there. I wanna be the best. I wanna go there and take the belt," Shields said. "I wouldn't be happy with anything less."
Mostly, I just want this whole silly EliteXC affair to end, so that these fighters can finally get on with their careers. That's what Shields wants, too.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-17-2008 @ 3:40PM
Devine said...
Of all the EliteXC castoffs (at least, those not named Gina Carano), I'm most intrigued to see Shields' career path. He was the best fighter in the promotion and his skills were evident as he racked up wins, but I still couldn't help but think that Zuffa had at least a handful of better fighters at 170 ... man, that weight class is just the gift that keeps on giving.
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11-17-2008 @ 4:16PM
Mike said...
I like Jake Shields, and I think he is a great fighter. However, I'm not so sure he can beat GSP - I'd love to see the fight, though.
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11-17-2008 @ 8:18PM
Joe T said...
he's good, but beat GSP? I don't think so.
http://www.fromthecage.com
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11-18-2008 @ 8:30AM
robbie said...
Jake is a very good fighter, deserves a UFC contract. I think he would probably be a top 5 UFC WW. I don't see him beating GSP or being the number 1 competitor. This is a stacked weight class (probably the UFC's toughest division) and he would be in the mix. He would not wear the belt IMHO.
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11-18-2008 @ 11:17AM
Brayan said...
crazy talk. He needs to fight Fitch and Serra instead.
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11-18-2008 @ 5:21PM
Eric said...
Shields standup isn't very good ... no, actually it sucks. He isn't an exciting fighter and I don't see his skills matching up at all against GSP, Penn, or Alves. Maybe he would have some luck against Koscheck, Fitch, or Sanchez.
He should have to prove himself in the UFC with a couple of good wins before challenging for the welterweight title.
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