Prior to the announcement of Jake Shields defending his EliteXC Weltweight title against Paul Daley on October 4th, there was a small rumor circulating that EliteXC was trying to work out a deal that would have seen Shinya Aoki come to the USA and fight Jake Shields on October 4th. Unfortunately it turned out that it was strictly a rumor but both fighters did chance wind of the idea and both were also very open to the fight.
Aoki tells World MMA:
I ain't runnin'. I mean, there hasn't even been an offer to fight you. If an offer comes, I'll be happy to fight. Because, I like you, because you're strong! The person giving you the best reputation in Japan is me!!!!! Really, Linda is going to have a problem. I mean, Sensei Jake's tight groundwork will be outclassed and wow'd by my funky groundwork.
Shields killed the rumor when he spoke to MMANews.com but was also very interested in the fight:
“I haven't been offered the fight,” stated the Champ “but that would be a fight that I would love to have on any show, I would be happy to fight Aoki.”
This would be one helluva match up if the two were to hook up somewhere down the line.
