UFC 144 Predictions: The Keys to Victory for Jake Shields

In order for Jake Shields to walk out of UFC 144 as the victor, he must fight his style and not Yoshihiro Akiyama's.

Even though Shields is on a two-fight losing streak, he's still one of the best welterweights in the world and with the right game plan, there's no reason why Shields shouldn't beat Akiyama.

These are Shields' keys to victory.

Get This Fight to the Ground

The first thing Jake Shields has to do is get this fight to the ground.

There's no point in standing with Yoshihiro Akiyama, when he's clearly the better striker. If Shields can't get this fight to the ground, he will take a beating on the feet and lose. It's as simple as that.

That's why Shields must instigate a takedown and drag Akiyama to the mat, where Shields has an advantage.

Put on a Jiu-Jitsu Clinic

Once he gets the fight to the ground, Jake Shields needs to put on a jiu-jitsu clinic against Yoshihiro Akiyama.

In the past, Akiyama has shown that he can be submitted, as Chris Leben caught him in a triangle choke at UFC 116 nearly two years ago.

If Shields can bring Akiyama to his world of jiu-jitsu, he can pull off a submission victory.

Don't Get Baited into a Brawl with Akiyama

Yoshihiro Akiyama has a remarkable ability of getting fighters to engage in wars with him.

Jake Shields can't be lured into doing that. If Shields engages in a brawl with Akiyama, it will take away his jiu-jitsu advantage and furthermore play into Akiyama's game plan.

Shields has to be well-disciplined and not fall into a trap of pleasing the Japanese crowd.

Smother Akiyama

Yoshihiro Akiyama's game plan for this fight is to keep it standing.

Because of that, Akiyama is going to look to distance himself from Jake Shields, but it's up to Shields to close the distance and get the fight to the ground.

Because of Akiyama's fantastic judo background, it might take a few times for him to get the takedown. Shields has to be relentless and constantly put pressure on him.

Fight Smart

Fighting smart is what made Jake Shields a champion in Strikeforce, and he needs to fight smart to defeat Yoshihiro Akiyama tonight.

Because of his discipline and smart game plans, Shields has victories over great opponents such as Robbie Lawler, Dan Henderson, Carlos Condit, Paul Daley and Yushin Okami.

Shields can't get careless in this fight, and with another brilliant game plan, Shields will hold another impressive victory over another game opponent.