Jake Shields to fight Drew Fickett for EliteXC welterweight title
by James Iannotti on Jan 28, 2008 11:43 AM EST
17 comments
With up-and-coming fighters like Eddie Alvarez and Paul Daley making big waves, the EliteXC welterweight division needs its first champion now more than ever.
Jake Shields has long deserved a shot at that vacant title and come March 29, he'll wait no longer, according to a recent MySpace message from the Caesar Gracie student.
Here's a snip:
"I'll be fighting Drew Fickett for the EliteXC Welterweight Championship on March 29 in San Jose, [Calif.]"
Shields is considered by most to be a top 10 welterweight in the world. He holds wins over notables such as Hayato "Mach" Sakurai, Dave Menne, Mike Pyle, Yushin Okami and WEC champ Carlos Condit. Shields also tapped top UFC contender Jon Fitch during a grappling match at the 2005 Gracie Open.
He's currently on a nine-fight winning streak and has not lost since December of 2004. For Shields this is a shot at confirming the hype that surrounds him. The exposure that comes along with being the first EliteXC champion will add even more credibility to his name and cement him as one of the world's best at 170 pounds.
Fickett -- who has six career fights in the UFC -- has been around the block, taking on some big names throughout his career. He holds wins over Kenny Florian, Josh Koscheck, Kurt Pellegrino and Josh Neer, among others. He's also fought and lost to Nick Diaz, Karo Parisyan and Josh Burkman.
In short, big fights are not something new for "The Master," but this will certainly be the biggest of his career. At only 28 years old, Fickett still has a chance to do big things in this sport. And winning the first EliteXC welterweight title would be a nice start.
Both of these guys are well versed in the submission game and we're probably in store for a great technical fight. We'll see a lot of scrambling, decent striking and some great jiu jitsu and wrestling. Their styles are so similar and both fighters are so good at capitalizing on their opponents mistakes that this fight will probably be decided by the first mistake made.
Shields will more than likely be the favorite going in, but this is a winable fight for both. It should be fun to watch.
Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Frank Shamrock is already putting his belt on the line against Cung Le that same evening. With the addition of the title bout between Shields and Fickett this will be perhaps the biggest event in the history of EliteXC.
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Jake Shields vs Jon Fitch/Karo inside the cage would be a fight worth watching.
Jake is so under the radar of MMA mainstream. He can give anyone a tuff fight at 170. He is one of the gem stones EliteXC has on the roster.
by PhilQNY on Jan 28, 2008 11:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I can’t wait until all of these guys are fighting under the same roof. Jake Shields would be a good fight for anyone in the welterweight division. He is going to dominate Fickett.
by Mahde on Jan 28, 2008 12:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I believe that Shields is a beast, and may control fickett for most of that fight. But on like Jake, Drew has the ability to end a fight based souly on heart, I think Fickett just might finish Jake Shields.
As tough as a guy shields is though, you put him in the octogon with Fitch, Hughes, GSP, or Karo, im pretty sure Jake wouldnt have much of a chance
I dont thik he’s strong enough to fight the top Contenders in the welter wieght division.
PS I know Jake submitted Jon Fitch in a grappling tournament (in dominating jusitsu Fasion)
But who are we kidding, If was on his back the whole time, and when your on your back in an mma fight, and it’s Jon Fitch on top of you it doesnt matter how good your jusitsu is your gonna get punched in the face, and your not gonna like it.
Just ask Roan Canerio, and Diego Sanchez
by Josh on Jan 28, 2008 1:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
should be a good fight…ill be rooting for Ficket
by mma dude on Jan 28, 2008 1:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ficket gave Karo hell and lost a decision but I wouldn’t count him out. These aren’t the top 2 in the world by any means but they will make and exciting fight.
by Billy Carnage on Jan 28, 2008 1:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
As tough as a guy shields is though, you put him in the octogon with Fitch, Hughes, GSP, or Karo, im pretty sure Jake wouldnt have much of a chance
I dont thik he’s strong enough to fight the top Contenders in the welter wieght division.
PS I know Jake submitted Jon Fitch in a grappling tournament (in dominating jusitsu Fasion) But who are we kidding, If was on his back the whole time, and when your on your back in an mma fight, and it’s Jon Fitch on top of you it doesnt matter how good your jusitsu is your gonna get punched in the face, and your not gonna like it.Just ask Roan Canerio, and Diego Sanchez
JAke Shields I think has the ability to defeat anyone in the UFC except for GSP. I think he would give GSP a good match but GSP may prove to strong. Shields cut through Mike Pyle like a hot knife through warm butter, and Pyle is a great wrestler-with wicked submissions and submission defense. Pyle has a win against Fitch(1 ofhis only 2 loses) and lost a decision to Rampage. So that is a testament to him being a real fighter. That in mind What makes you think he would you think he would not stand a chance against KAro, Fitch, or Hughes?
by Da Monkey on Jan 28, 2008 1:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I would have liked to see Nick Thompson get the nod over Fickett.
by Amy Robinson on Jan 28, 2008 2:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
jake shields needs more recognition for sure. this is a great fight
by MMA Wallpapers SF on Jan 28, 2008 2:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
President of EliteXC Gary Shaw can run his mouth all he wants, but having Jake Sheilds (who I will admit is awesome) fight Drew Ficket for that organizations welterweight title is indicative of how weak their stable of fighters is.
EliteXC has some great fighters, but very little competition for these great fighters. If EliteXC cant get jake sheilds better opponents, I think he needs to jump ship to the UFC after his contract expires, if he wants to truly show his worth as an mma fighter.
I think he is ready to compete against the best. Gotta love those camp Diaz fighters…..
by john on Jan 28, 2008 4:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
As a NOTE: Jake Shields’s last fight against Mike Pyle was SUPPOSED to be for the WW belt, but Mike Pyle felt that he was being marketed properly so it turned out not being for the title.
President of EliteXC Gary Shaw can run his mouth all he wants, but having Jake Sheilds (who I will admit is awesome) fight Drew Ficket for that organizations welterweight title is indicative of how weak their stable of fighters is.
EliteXC has some great fighters, but very little competition for these great fighters. If EliteXC cant get jake sheilds better opponents, I think he needs to jump ship to the UFC after his contract expires, if he wants to truly show his worth as an mma fighter.
I think he is ready to compete against the best. Gotta love those camp Diaz fighters…..
STOCKTON CALIFORNIA!!!!
If Jake got past Mike Pyle as easy as he did, Drew Fickett will be no problem at all.
Jake Shields vs Paul Daley – Make it happen Gary SHaw!!!
by ViolentMike on Jan 28, 2008 5:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Jake Shields vs Jon Fitch/Karo inside the cage would be a fight worth watching.
Jake is so under the radar of MMA mainstream. He can give anyone a tuff fight at 170. He is one of the gem stones EliteXC has on the roster.
you said it’
I agree 100%….Alot of MMa fans dont know Shields.
He is well deserving to fight in the UFC.
To bad he just resigned EliteXC late last year…
Hope my boy takes the gold..
by Stagger-Lee on Jan 28, 2008 6:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Anyone know if Frank Shamrock has started his usual shit talking pre fight, you-tube type antics???
I dont really like him, but he really can talk a good game. I cant wait to see what he pulls out for this one
by fightfan on Jan 28, 2008 7:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
DREW FIKCETT IS ONE OF MY FAV FIGHTER AND I’D SUPPORT HIM IN THIS FIGHT.I HOPE HE WINS THAT ONE.HE HAS A WINS OVER PELLEGRINO,MARK WEIR,KOS.
wARRRRRRR FICKETT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by pamirec on Jan 28, 2008 7:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
UFC bring JAKE SHIELDS to the octogon!! Jake is the man. Would really spice up the WW division. Watch out GSP, this guy is improving everyday.
by The Anomaly on Jan 28, 2008 9:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This is a just a ploy to try and get Sheilds to stay with EliteXC in the wake of his expiring contract. They think if they give him the belt he will be inclined to stay and defend it.
by DB on Jan 29, 2008 7:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I would be surprised if Shields didn’t win this fight. We’ll probably never get to see him fight the top UFC guys though… unless UFC buys EliteXC.
by UFCAddict on Jan 29, 2008 9:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I would have liked to see Nick Thompson get the nod over Fickett.
Not me i would like to see alvarez thompson 2
by belfort_fan on Jan 31, 2008 6:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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