Jake Shields vs Robbie Lawler Strikeforce fight coming soon
by James Iannotti on Mar 12, 2009 7:17 PM EDT
32 comments
A scheduled welterweight contest between the first and last Elite XC 170-pound champion, Jake Shields (22-4-1), and UFC veteran Joe "Diesel" Riggs (29-10) at Strikeforce: "Shamrock vs. Diaz" on April 11 has been put "on hold," according to Strikeforce officials.
It appears the San Jose-based promotion has other plans for its newly acquired ex-champ, matching him up against the last man to hold the Elite XC middleweight crown, "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler (16-4), in a super fight that will be contested at a catchweight of 182 pounds.
The Shields vs. Lawler showdown is expected to headline the organization's second event of 2009, which is tentatively scheduled to take place in the Seattle, Washington, area in May and air live on Showtime.
Both competitors have been out of action since their former employer Elite XC went out of business last November. Shields defeated talented British striker Paul "Semtex" Daley on the last ever event for the promotion, which aired live on CBS from Sunrise, Fla., last October.
The win was the first title defense for the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. He captured the vacant title with a first round submission win over the normally very difficult to beat Nick "The Goat" Thompson a little more than two months earlier on the July 26 Elite XC: "Unfinished Business" card, which aired live on CBS as well.
For Lawler it's been a little longer since he last saw action. He was last seen finishing off Scott "Hands of Steel" Smith in the second round of their rematch on the "Unfinished Business" card. The two engaged in one of the best fights in the short history of the organization in their first encounter in May, but the fight was ruled a no contest because of an inadvertent eye poke, which led to the rematch.
The win over Smith was the fifth in a row for "Ruthless" sans the dreaded no contest ... and he wasn't fighting any bums either. That list included Frank Trigg, Joey Villasenor and Ninja Rua. Not to mention earlier career victories over Niko Vitale (twice), Chris Lytle and others.
This is a great match-up for Strikeforce's second event in the post Elite XC buyout/Showtime deal era.
Shields has expressed interest in the past about fighting in the 185-pound division. He's always been a big welterweight and shouldn't have a problem moving up to face Lawler -- a former welterweight himself.
Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Renato "Babalu" Sobral and ex-Elite XC 205-pound kingpin Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante have also been rumored for this card in separate matches. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on the developing fight card.
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This is shaping up to be a damn solid night of fights. Three very good matchups, with more on the way?
Affliction who?
by RealDrew on Mar 12, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I got to go with Shields by TKO. Shields is dynamite on the ground and solid in the standup. Lawler is too one dimensional. Should be a good scrap though.
by RealDrew on Mar 12, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
shields solid in stand up :S wtf are you in. hes awesome on the ground but his standup is terrible, same with his ground and pound. lawler by wicked ko
by Jared on Mar 12, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
jake does NOT have solid stand up, just good bjj and wrestling. lawler by KO before he even breaks a sweat.
by sac165 on Mar 12, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry RealDrew, Lawler will KO Shields bad. Shields has no standup, good ground but he has to get it there. And to get it there hes got to get close to Lawler.
by JV on Mar 12, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve only seen Shields fight Thompson and Daley and he didn’t embarrass himself on the feet, but it didn’t stay standing long.
How’s Lawler’s take down defense? I can’t recall a fight in which he’s been against a strong wrestler. I know he beat Trigg, but I didn’t see that fight.
by RealDrew on Mar 12, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lawler KO. Feijao will also KO babalu when it happens. He’s the real deal right next to jon jones.
by NameNotRequired on Mar 12, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
shields is on my list of favorites, but his stand up is suspect. I heard this was at a catch weight and not middle weight. something like 178.
by kevin on Mar 12, 2009 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
my bad, it’ll be at 182, but that’s in the article,
also the april show may have Baroni/riggs!
by kevin on Mar 12, 2009 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
182 LOL! Whats the point then? Lawler by a vicious KO
by JV on Mar 12, 2009 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thats why I first put 178, 82 seems fishy. I don’t know if shields can get it to the ground without eating a few punches. Lawler wrestles with Hughes, so his TD defense is good!
by kevin on Mar 12, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m a submission favorite kind of guy, but I got to go with Lawler. I think Robbie has got good enough ground defense to stay alive if it even hits the mat. He looked pretty damn good against SS both times, and I remember Shields’ terrible striking display against Semtex. Lawler by TKO in the 2nd or 3rd round. Question, this is a 3 round fight?
by Synyster on Mar 13, 2009 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great fighters, striker vs. Grappler. I would have to go with Lawler. Lawler is better in Sheilds element (wrestling), than Sheilds is in Lawlers element (striking). did that make sense?
by DAVE on Mar 13, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Made sense to me: Lawler ground > Shields stand up. THats what you said right?
by Synyster on Mar 13, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
shields didn’t look that good against paul, i don’t think this will be a good fight for him.
by roy on Mar 13, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not a fan of either. Too bad Lawler wasn’t dropping down to 170 for a title shot instead of Shields moving up to 185 for a non title fight. That being said, I hope they knock each other out. lol
by anom on Mar 12, 2009 7:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow this is great. The Elite XC MW champ against the Elite EX WW champ. Dangerous striker vs Powerful grappler. I would have rather seen the bout at 170, but it doesn’t really matter. Very interesting fight and a tough one to call. My gut reaction is Shields by submission.
by DB on Mar 12, 2009 7:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Shields seemed desperate to join the UFC. I guess this must be his last fight on his converted contract.
by Muscle Dolphin on Mar 12, 2009 7:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know, he’s been calling out GSP for awhile now, but signing extensions with other companies…makes no sense!
by kevin on Mar 12, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Calling out GSP makes no sense. He sure as hell can’t wrestle GSP to the mat, where he would have his only chance at winning. And it would be a mighty slim chance, at that.
by PW on Mar 12, 2009 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know MMAMath is bunk, but Jake Shields tooled Leo Santos in ADCC.
Santos made GSP tap pretty quick in ADCC.
by Space on Mar 12, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shields has sick jits. With some nice wins over good fighters like Okami and Condit.
But I think Lawler takes this by sprawl and brawl easy.
by Dayzah on Mar 12, 2009 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol thats not even mma math, thats like combative sports math haha
by brendan on Mar 12, 2009 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lawler by KO in the second! And I don’t get the whole 182 thing!?
by Dana's a crossdresser on Mar 12, 2009 9:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Omg are you kidding me, Lawler will brutalize shields. Match up wise this isnt good for shields. Atleast it is two big names to bring some attention too strikeforce. Its Martial Arts so you know i will be watching, plus strikeforce just signed Kevin Randleman. Descent signing
by See What Had Happend Was !!!! on Mar 12, 2009 10:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow I really dont like either of these guys but Im going for Lawler cuz he’s gonna KTFO Jake Shields cuz Jake is very over-rated
by Hispanic Panic on Mar 12, 2009 10:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ouch, looks to be a bad night for Shields. They better give Riggs a new opponent for April 11th! Any word?
by Andiesel on Mar 13, 2009 4:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Catchweight at 182? Whats even the point just go 185
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