Jake Shields signs with UFC as a welterweight [update: Kampmann fight in the works]

:-D

^ That was Dana White's tweet last night after officially getting ink on paper for Jake Shields' contract.

Shields (25-4-1) will debut as a welterweight. This comes as a bit of a surprise since his last few fights have been at middleweight, including a dominating upset win over former UFC middleweight contender Dan Henderson.

Shields is expected to face top competition right away. Some expect him to take on the winner of the upcoming Jon Fitch/Thiago Alves bout at UFC 117, pushing his debut back until at least November. Other possible opponents include Martin Kampmann, John Hathaway, and Paulo Thiago, all three of whom are available sooner.

Shields has finished seven of his last nine fights including wins over high level welterweights Mike Pyle, Nick Thompson, Paul Daley, and middleweight contender Robbie Lawler.

 

Re: Jake Shields signs with UFC as a welterweight [update: Kampmann fight in the work

Much like when WEC champ Carlos Condit was brought into the UFC and given a tough opponent right away, so too will Jake Shields. In fact he's being given the same opponent--Martin Kampmann. The Hitman fought at UFC 115 so expect to see Shields/Kampmann in the fall.

 

Re: Jake Shields signs with UFC as a welterweight [update: Kampmann fight in the work

Good signing, I guess. I don't think he'll do much in the UFC, though. I can't see him coming close to toppling GSP.

 

Re: Jake Shields signs with UFC as a welterweight [update: Kampmann fight in the work

Shields has a mountain to climb vs. GSP. He has no chance of getting him down (unless GSP wants to take top position). Don't even talk about Shields striking with GSP.

Actually that's why I want to see the fight (and to a lesser extent GSP/Koscheck 2). These are the two best match-ups to see GSP striking again.