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[mattc25]

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/...p?a=10826&z=13

It's been a long time coming, but now it's official.

Dan Henderson and Jake Shields have agreed to meet in Strikeforce with the middleweight title on the line in April. Shields confirmed the bout when speaking to MMAWeekly Radio on Tuesday night.

"It's a go now. We finally worked it out a few days ago," he said about the fight with Henderson. "It's a done deal, it's been agreed upon by both parties as far as I know, and I think it's set to go."

As recently as six weeks ago when Shields left to help out as assistant coach on the eleventh season of “The Ultimate Fighter," a deal had still not been sealed for the fight to happen.

Now, both Shields and Henderson have a deal in place to put the two middleweights in the cage together in April, although according to the current Strikeforce champion, while a date and venue have been given to the fighters, the actual broadcast has yet to be determined.

"I have a date (and) venue, but they told me to hold that back," said Shields. "Hopefully CBS. I think it's CBS. There's a slight possibility of Showtime because they're still (working it out). I don't know the rest of the card or any of that yet. But me and Dan's on, and I'm hoping it's on CBS."

Shields admits that the waiting game was tough because contract negotiations are something that have to be done, but now it's all over and he's happy to fight again soon.

"I really wanted the fight, the fans really wanted it, so I knew it was going to happen," he commented. "There was a few little things holding it back, but luckily everything's been worked out and I'm just happy the fight's happening, and I want to go out there and put on an exciting fight."

Even though Shields will enter the fight as the Strikeforce middleweight champion, Henderson brings with him a wealth of experience, and a resume of impressive wins. If the betting odds come out placing Henderson as the favorite, it's nothing new to Shields, and he'll happily play the underdog.

"I always prefer to be the underdog. Dan's a great fighter, he doesn’t have a lot of holes in his game, but I think he does have a few, and I'm going to go out there and try to exploit them," stated Shields.

The fight will likely either headline or co-headline the card in April, depending on what happens with Fedor Emelianenko, who is also rumored for the same show. Stay tuned to MMAWeekly.com for more information on the upcoming Strikeforce card as it becomes available.

....interesting that Fedor-Werdum is not yet finalized. The rumors about Fedor and SF posted last week may be true.

[Badluck33]

I think this should be good and live up to the hype. If Shields wins, he will make alot of people who doubt him look silly. Jake is a solid wrestler and shouldn't be taken lightly because he has faced lesser competition. Hendo is good too but has age on his side so who knows what happens. This match maybe a match that we can refer to in the future as a "changing of the guards" match. Whether or not it is a main event or a co-main event it will be an entertaining fight.

As far as Fedor, that is a big question. If he isn't on this card, I am gonna start losing faith in this whole m-1/fedor marriage and imo fedor needs a divorce.

[mattc25]

...well apparently if Fedor fails to compete in any of the CBS cards his contract is voided. This is a guess on my part but I think Fedor wants his next fight to be for the title,and if it is not he may be gone. Fedor is probably thinking,damn I could have had an immediate title shot in the UFC and 5 million per fight. Fuck M-1 global and that Vadim clown!!!

[KevoOnTheRadio]

"I have a date (and) venue, but they told me to hold that back," said Shields. "Hopefully CBS. I think it's CBS. There's a slight possibility of Showtime because they're still (working it out). I don't know the rest of the card or any of that yet. But me and Dan's on, and I'm hoping it's on CBS."

I think this is why they haven't announced the Fedor fight yet. They want to make sure its on the biggest stage possible. Once they know it's on CBS, and they can secure the appropriate date and venue, then Fedor will sign and everything will be announced. Thats my two cents anyway.

[jlruthven84]

The one thing Hendo is lacking due to his age is speed, but that won't be a problem against Shields, whose takedowns are sluggish and his striking almost non-existent. Hendo by KO.

[Trojan Fight Club]

I too take Hendo by KO, even if Shields was a better wrestler, which he isn't, Hendo has far far far superior striking. I don't see Shields winning this.

[TBEAR]

I agree with the above.

2 good wrestler often balance each others skills, but Hendo has that right Death he throws.....Hendo by ko

[rivethead]

Originally Posted by mattc25

...well apparently if Fedor fails to compete in any of the CBS cards his contract is voided. This is a guess on my part but I think Fedor wants his next fight to be for the title,and if it is not he may be gone. Fedor is probably thinking,damn I could have had an immediate title shot in the UFC and 5 million per fight. Fuck M-1 global and that Vadim clown!!!

I'm not sure if you're saying that every CBS card needs to have Fedor on it; or if they expect him to fight on a card that isn't on CBS, it's voided? Which is it, and do you have sources?

The 5 mil/fight rumor has been shot down by both sides already, as well; and Fedor has repeatedly, repeatedly, repeatedly said that he's not in it for the money.

rh

[Badluck33]

Originally Posted by rivethead

I'm not sure if you're saying that every CBS card needs to have Fedor on it; or if they expect him to fight on a card that isn't on CBS, it's voided? Which is it, and do you have sources?

The 5 mil/fight rumor has been shot down by both sides already, as well; and Fedor has repeatedly, repeatedly, repeatedly said that he's not in it for the money.

rh

Fedor has said repeatedly that he isn't for the money but that doesn't say the same for Vlad, Millen and the rest of the cronies at M-1 Global. I believe on the surface that Fedor isn't about the money but he has a family to feed too.

RH, i know this is between us so i'll just refrain myself for now....

[U shut ur FACE]

Not a big fan of this match up. In no way do I see Shields coming close to getting a win over Hendo considering Hendo pretty much trumps him in every category. Don't get me wrong, Shields is a great fighter but we're talking about Dan Henderson here... Also, what do they plan on doing with Henderson once he wins? I can't see a decent match up after this unless i'm missing something... Anyone have suggestions?