Jake Shields: Lack of EliteXC depth at 170 pounds may force change
by John Morgan on Oct 12, 2008 at 5:05 pm ET
With the dust settled after a back-and-forth title affair at "EliteXC: Heat," EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields (22-4-1) feels he may be forced to make a change in his career.
While a recent guest of TAGG Radio (
TAGG Radio Network - Home of TAGG Radio & The Lights Out Show!), the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com (
UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com), Shields reinforced his possible move to 185 pounds -- and also hinted at opportunities outside of the organization.
"I have no problem fighting at 170 (pounds) if I have the right people to fight," Shields said. "But unfortunately, besides the UFC, there's just not a lot of huge fights right now."
Currently ranked No. 3 in the world in WAMMA's welterweight poll, Shields is the only fighter in the top-10 not fighting in a Zuffa, LLC-owned organization. That fact may encourage Shields to move up to 185 pounds.
"There are some really good [185 pound fighters] outside the UFC, so it puts me in a situation where I'm kind of stuck," Shields said. "I have to go up in weight or fight guys that don't have the same name recognition."
Riding an 11-fight win streak, the Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu fighter has knocked off the likes of Carlos Condit, Yushin Okami, Mike Pyle, Paul Daley and Nick Thompson. With two fights remaining on his EliteXC contract, Shields sugested a move to the UFC may be a possibility.
"To get the big fights, you've got to fight the guys with equal name recognition," Shields explained "So I'm kind of stuck in a situation where either I have to go to the UFC or fight up a weight."
Shields also discussed his Oct. 4 bout with Paul Daley, what happened behind the curtains at the event's official weigh-ins, and how he's been spending his days since the victory. To hear the full interview, download Monday's edition of TAGG Radio, available for free in the TAGG Radio archives.
This story, written by John Morgan, was produced by TAGG Radio (
TAGG Radio Network - Home of TAGG Radio & The Lights Out Show!) specially for MMAjunkie.com (
UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com). The show -- which is hosted by fighter/broadcaster Frank Trigg, Gorgeous George and ace producer Goze -- books some of the biggest names in MMA. Download all the former episodes at
TAGG Radio Network - Home of TAGG Radio & The Lights Out Show!, or tune into TAGG Radio's live shows Monday-Friday at noon ET/9 a.m. PT.
Jake Shields: Lack of EliteXC depth at 170 pounds may force change | MMAjunkie.com 
Jake Shields: Lack of EliteXC depth at 170 pounds may force change 
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