Jake Shields Vs. Tyron Woodley Likely To Go Down In Canada This Summer

UFC 161, which has yet to be announced by the promotion, appears to have a fight lined up, as MMAjunkie.com is reporting that Jake Shields will face Tyron Woodley.

The card is expected to go down in Canada on June 15, though a city has yet to be finalized.

Shields (27-6-1) has split his four UFC bouts, and is returning to welterweight after one fight as a middleweight. The former Strikeforce champion defeated Ed Herman, but the decision was changed to a no-contest after he failed the post-fight drug test.

Woodley (11-1) scored a knockout victory over Jay Hieron earlier this month in his UFC debut. He asked for a match with Shields recently, and appears to be receiving his wish.

 

Dan Henderson’s Top 5 MMA Moments

Of course, Dan Henderson is a legendary figure of the sport. He’s beaten a laundry list of elite fighters in Pride, The UFC, and Strikeforce. Over his career, Henderson has proven himself to be an amazingly dynamic and versatile fighter. He’s competed and held key wins over opponents at middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight. Even more impressive, he managed to hold the 185 pound and 205 pound Pride belts simultaneously. He is now 42 years old, but that hasn’t slowed him a bit. Henderson was set to square off with Jon Jones at UFC 151, but ultimately a knee injury led to the fight being cancelled all together. He’s now only one win away (Lyoto Machida) from another crack at UFC gold.

 

Cesar Gracie Talks About His Proudest Fighters

Nick and Nate Diaz are the obvious prodigies when Cesar Gracie’s camp is discussed, but he says he’s just as glad to work with Gil Melendez and Jake Shields.

 

Jake Shields’ Suspension Confirmed By Colorado Commission

Jake Shields announced last week that he was suspended due to a failed post-fight drug test after defeating Ed Herman at UFC 150 this past August.

The news came out of nowhere, as the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies’ Boxing Commission had yet to confirm anything.

Well, on Monday, MMAjunkie.com was able to obtain confirmation that Shields has been suspended. The substance that caused the failed drug test was not announced.

Shields (27-6-1) also had his victory over Herman changed to a no-contest, and was fined $5,000. He will be eligible to fight again in early 2013 after the six-month suspension runs out.

“We’ve been informed by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies’ Boxing Commission that Mr. Shields tested positive for a banned substance following his bout at UFC 150,” said a statement released by the UFC. “UFC has a strict, consistent policy against the use of any performance-enhancing drugs, including the requirement that all incoming athletes be tested and cleared for PEDs. Therefore, we fully support the drug testing efforts of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies’ Boxing Commission and will fully cooperate with the Commission regarding this matter.”

Photo credit: Esther Lin/MMA Fighting

 

Jake Shields Handed Six-Month Suspension

Jake Shields has been suspended until February due to a banned substance. Shields acknowledged the suspension in a statement sent to MMAjunkie.com from Authentic Sports Management.

“This was a mistake that I fully regret,” Shields’ statement read. “I have shared this issue with my family and the UFC, and I have apologized to them and now I also apologize to you, the fans. I promise this will never occur again in my fighting career.”

Shields defeated Ed Herman this past August in Denver. The bout was his first at middleweight since entering the UFC.

The suspension, which runs out in February of next year, was handed down by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies’ Boxing Commission. The statement did not entail what banned substance Shields took.

 

Jake Shields Had Issues With Altitude, Happy To Pick Up Win Over Ed Herman

Former Strikeforce champion Jake Shields made a successful middleweight debut in the UFC at UFC 150 over the weekend, scoring a decision victory over Ed Herman.

Shields, who decided to move up from welterweight after defeating Yoshihiro Akiyama, didn’t have the kind of dominating performance he was hoping for.

The California-based fighter admitted that he didn’t properly train for the altitude issues with fighting in Denver.

To be honest, I was getting a little tired in there from the altitude so I had to slow my pace down and I couldn’t fight the way I had planned to. In hind sight, I needed to get here earlier to acclimate but that’s how you learn.

Shields has made mention of hoping to reach a title fight with Anderson Silva in the future, but he’ll likely need more impressive victories to secure a shot at “The Spider.”

Photo credit: Esther Lin/MMA Fighting

 

Frank Mir Believes Jake Shields Could Defeat Anderson Silva

Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir served as a guest analyst on Fuel TV over the weekend.

While discussing the Jake Shields-Ed Herman bout from UFC 150, Mir offered up his insight on Shields’ chances against UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Shields, a former Strikeforce middleweight champion, made his debut at the weight inside the Octagon.

“If Jake Shields gets him down, there could be a new champion in the division, but that is if he gets him there. Obviously, Anderson Silva is the best in the world; it’s a lot to be said to get past his hands and feet to get him to the ground.”

Silva’s management team has been very vocal in terms of who his next challenger will be. It’s possible that a name-fighter like Shields could generate enough interest to make the match.

Photo credit: Esther Lin/MMA Fighting

 

UFC 150: Henderson Vs. Edgar 2 Weigh-In Results

The UFC lightweight championship will be on the line Saturday night when Benson Henderson defends the belt against Frankie Edgar.

The two will form the main event for UFC 150, which takes place from Denver, Colorado.

Friday, all the fighters stepped on the scale for the official weigh-ins.

Henderson came in at XXX pounds, while Edgar, a former champion in the division, weighed XXX.

UFC 150: HENDERSON VS. EDGAR II WEIGH-IN RESULTS

Main Card (PPV)

Benson Henderson (154.4 lbs.) vs. Frankie Edgar (154.6 lbs.) for Henderson’s UFC lightweight title

Donald Cerrone (155 lbs.) vs. Melvin Guillard (157.5 lbs.)*

Jake Shields (185 lbs.) vs. Ed Herman (185 lbs.)

Yushin Okami (185 lbs.) vs. Buddy Roberts (184 lbs.)

Justin Lawrence (145 lbs.) vs. Max Holloway (145 lbs.)

Prelim Card (FX)

Dennis Bermudez (145 lbs.) vs. Tommy Hayden (144 lbs.)

Jared Hamman (184 lbs.) vs. Michael Kuiper (185 lbs.)

Ken Stone (135 lbs.) vs. Erik Perez (135 lbs.)

Dustin Pague (136 lbs.) vs. Chico Camus (135 lbs.)

Prelim Card (Facebook)

Nik Lentz (145 lbs.) vs. Eiji Mitsuoka (145 lbs.)

*Guillard will have two hours to make weight

Photo credit: Combatlifestyle

 

Jake Shields And Ed Herman On Their Fight

The pair of fighters catch up with Axis TV.

 

Jake Shields Feels Like Middleweight Move ‘A Good Idea’

Jake Shields has been a middleweight before, having won the Strikeforce 185-pound title before entering the UFC.

After some pushing from a certain UFC matchmaker, Shields will return to the middleweight ranks this Saturday night at UFC 150 against Ed Herman.

“It was a tough decision, but then Joe Silva said he wanted to see me up there so I’m giving it a shot,” said Shields, in a recent interview with MMAFighting.com. “I think it’s a good idea. I felt really good training at this weight. I feel strong and have a small weight cut, so hopefully everything goes smooth.”

Shields won his last fight, defeating Yoshihiro Akiyama. He had been defeated in his previous two Octagon appearances prior, and is 27-6-1 in his career.

Photo credit: Esther Lin/MMA Fighting