Elite XC Welterweight Champion Jake Shields (21-4–1) will put his newly-won 170-pound title on the line for the first time ever against John Alessio (23-11) at "The Pit" at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M., on September 20.
MMAmania.com was able to confirm the match up with a source close to the fight negotiations.
Shields – widely regarded as the top welterweight in the world not fighting in the UFC – recently won the inaugural division title for the promotion when he essentially ran through a very tough Nick Thompson at Elite XC: "Unfinished Business" last month.
The Cesar Gracie-trained Brazilian jiu-jitsu standout is on a blistering 10-fight win streak, racking up impressive wins against top-level talent such as Mike Pyle, Renato Verissimo, Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit and others.
Perhaps most impressive is that he's been able to improve fight after fight, finishing his last five opponents – something that was a knock on him midway through in his blossoming career.
His opponent, John Alessio, most recently slapped a rear naked choke on former UFC competitor, Pete Spratt, in the second round of their fight with Banner Promotions: "Night of Combat" on June 20.
"The Natural" sustained a broken arm in the fight, however, it appears that everything must be all good if he's able to take a title fight exactly three months later.
Alessio – who owns a winless record (0-3) inside the Octagon against some pretty stiff competition (Pat Miletich, Diego Sanchez and Thiago Alves) -- put together a solid record (5-2) in the WEC with his only losses coming to division champion, Carlos Condit (submission), and former number one contender, Brock Larson, by way of disqualification.
To check out the latest Elite XC card for September 20, which will be available to watch on the Showtime premium cable channel at 10 p.m., click here.
Get the latest gear
