Eight months is a long time to wait. Especially for a fighter who is more than anxious to prove he belongs alongside the elite welterweights in the world.
Yet that’s exactly how long it has been between Jake Shields’ successfully defended his title against Paul “Semtex” Daley at EliteXC: Heat way back in October 2008.
Needless to say, a lot of events have transpired in between.
EliteXC announced shortly thereafter they would cease operations. Then in February 2009, Strikeforce stepped up to purchase the remaining Pro Elite assets, including the contract of Shields and many others.
For his first Strikeforce fight Shields was scheduled to do battle against Joe Riggs at the “Shamrock vs. Diaz” April event, but opted instead for a step up in competition (and in weight), much to the dismay of “Diesel.”
Shields’ new and improved adversary?
Another former EliteXC champion in “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler, who once laid claim to the 185-pound crown.
The result is a headlining fight at a catchweight of 182 pounds and a classic striker vs. grappler matchup that is sure to produce fireworks.
We tracked Shields down in between training sessions to share his thoughts on EliteXC, how close he came to the UFC, Robbie Lawler, and his uncertain future in the fight game.
Derek Bolender: I understand you started your MMA career at Chuck Liddell’s SLO Kickboxing Academy in 1999. Did you know Chuck prior to going there or did you meet him at the gym?
Jake Shields: I knew who he was. He wasn’t really known to the world back then but he was known around town. I didn’t actually personally know him. I’d see him around town and he had a rep as the town tough guy, but I didn’t actually get a chance to meet him until I went to the gym.
Derek Bolender: What were those first few weeks and months of MMA training like for you and what comes to mind when you look back at your experience there?
Jake Shields: It was awesome for me. I was just a young kid. I was like 20 or 21 and just went in there. I was watching old UFC’s and then getting to go in there with Chuck. I mean Chuck wasn’t news back then but he still just knew a ton.
It was just the wealth of knowledge between the standup and the submission fighting. It was an awesome experience.
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