Strikeforce Nashville: Jake Shields - “Goodbye to Strikeforce?”

Jake Shields looks to defeat Dan Henderson at Strikeforce: Nashville, and cash in as a MMA free agent

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On April 17 th at Strikeforce “Nashville”, Jake Shields will put his middleweight belt on the line in a main event bout against former UFC superstar Dan Henderson. Shields acquired that belt in his most recent bout on November 7th at Strikeforce “Fedor vs. Rogers” with a lackluster decision victory against Jason “Mayhem” Miller. Shields didn’t just show up on the MMA radar, he already has owned the Elite XC welterweight belt, Shooto middleweight belt, and the Rumble on the Rock welterweight title over his ten-plus years as a professional.

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Although Shields has more than enough to concentrate on with Henderson, the 31 year-old Cesar Gracie jiu-jitsu fighter has a decision to make after his first title defense as well. It is not clear whether or not this is Shields final fight on his Strikeforce contract, but he has recently talked about being able to explore free agency after this bout.

Whether it turns out to be his last fight under the Strikeforce banner or not, it is an important bout nonetheless. Shields has won 13 consecutive bouts defeating the likes of Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit, Toby Imada, Paul Daley, and Robbie Lawler along the way. Even with all of those victories to his credit, this particular bout can catapult him into a whole new class.

With a victory, Shields will be able to market himself in a couple of different ways. If he decides to, he could leave Strikeforce as the champion and throw his hat in the UFC octagon. A victory over “Hendo” would allow Shields the possibility to immediately fight one of the UFC’s best, such as GSP. Shields is moderately popular now, but a stint in the UFC would bring his status to a whole new level.

Shields may also decide to continue his Strikeforce career, although, a victory over Henderson would cost the organization much more money in a new contract. He would more than likely continue to defend his middleweight belt, but would have to do so against some new competition brought in from Japan. The organizations’ middleweight cupboard is a little bare right now. If that is the direction he wishes to take, that would keep him under Strikeforce’s control for at least another year or 2-3 more fights.

What would a loss do for Shields as he enters his free agency period? I think a loss would limit Shields as to where he could fight. A loss would definitely work against him financially when signing his next contract, and without a championship around his waist he would not get an immediate title shot with the UFC. He might still get the opportunity to fight for Strikeforce despite a loss, but he would probably be shuffled back a couple of positions in the division. He would not be able to drop to the welterweight division, his natural weight, because his friend and training partner, Nick Diaz, is the champion and that fight is out of the question.

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As tough as a fighter that Dan Henderson is, Shields will have his hands full with his April 17th title defense. However, he is more than capable of defeating Henderson and retaining his title. The part that is more intriguing is whether Shields will abandon that belt in search of more consistent competition, or, will he continue on with his dominance in the San Jose-based organization. Only time will tell, but, one thing that is for sure, wherever he wants to go there will be an organization willing to accept him.

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer