Jake Shields: The Best Grappler In MMA

Jake Shields will be fighting Robbie Lawler on Saturday night, Jun. 6, at Strikeforce on Showtime.

This could go either way, as Lawler is a big, strong kid with excellent take-down defense and knockout power in both hands. If Shields can get him on the mat, however, with a fair amount of time on the clock (say, anything above two minutes) I think it’s a wrap.

To quote MIA, “Everybody knows [Jake Shields] is good on the ground.”

Want proof?

Look at the statistics. He’s won five out of his last six fights by submission, four of them in the first round and all of them against quality opponents.

Or spend a sleepless night on YouTube, as I did a few weeks ago, and sample some of his Abu Dhabi fights. Watch him dominate Diego Sanchez and John Fitch. Watch him choke out Leo Santos. Or, better yet, watch Leo Santos armbar Georges St. Pierre, and then go watch Jake Shields choke out Leo Santos!

Jake Shields, along with guys like Dustin Hazelett and the Diaz brothers, is part of an American revolution in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that is elevating the art to new heights, bringing a more technical and aggressive style of grappling into the cage.

Everyone had better be excited for this fight, because it’s going to be a good one. If the fight goes to the ground, sit back and watch the future of ground fighting.