Jake Shields: The Downfall of Strikeforce?
Since mixed martial arts does not have a ranking-based system to determine who is the #1 fighter in a given division, I thought it would be fun to compare Jake Shields, former Strikeforce middleweight champ-turned UFC welterweight contender, to some of the big names in the UFC. While I was researching, one name in particular kept coming up, so the following is a comparison between Jake Shields and the UFC’s longtime middleweight champion, Anderson “The Spider” Silva.
Both Shields and Silva have been criticized of late for boring (although effective) strategy.
In his title defenses against Thales Leites, Patrick Cote, and Demian Maia, Anderson Silva was less than dynamic in earning victories and retaining his belt. Shields is a proficient wrestler and his method of victory often involves controlling his opponent on the mat for long periods of time, a style I have heard called the Iron Blanket.
Both Shields and Silva have defeated one of the sport’s true legends, Dan Henderson.
Anderson Silva defeated Henderson by way of rear naked choke at UFC 82 and Shields defeated Henderson in April of 2010. These two men account for 2 of Henderson’s 8 losses against some of the true masters of mixed martial arts.
Both Shields and Silva train with a volatile set of brothers skilled in Brazilian jiu jitsu.
Anderson Silva trains with the Nogueira brothers for team Black House while Shields trains with the Diaz brothers under Cesar Gracie.
Both Shields and Silva were involved in a media frenzy that surrounded the last match each man fought.
In the weeks leading up to Anderson Silva’s match against Chael Sonnen, Sonnen was constantly talking to the media, both hyping the fight and getting under the skin of Silva, the Noguiera’s and manager Ed Soares. Shields was a part of the brawl on national television where Jason “Mayhem” Miller was taken to the mat and beaten up by members of Shields’ camp (I told you the Diaz boys were volatile) because Mayhem interrupted Shields inside the cage during Shields’ post-fight interview.
Both Shields and Silva has impressive records and remarkable winning streaks.
Anderson Silva is currently on a 13-fight winning streak and has achieved a 27-4 record overall. Jake Shields is on a 14-fight winning streak and holds a 25-4-1 record overall.
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The point I was trying to make is this: Jake Shields is bringing a relatively unheralded career into the UFC and could potentially take the welterweight division by storm.
That Shields has skills is not the question, however. We know that Jake Shields will survive without Strikeforce, but will Strikeforce survive without Jake Shields?
In short, I believe the answer is a resounding “yes.” Strikeforce can remain a legitimate challenger to the Zuffa empire (UFC and WEC) if they make smart business moves and market the Strikeforce brand wisely. Strikeforce is in a terrific position as far as exposure is concerned. While the Zuffa brands rely on cable tv (Spike and VS) to bring their product to the fans, anyone with the most basic television setup has access to CBS, and thus, has access to Strikeforce. In addition to CBS, Strikeforce also leans on premium television as well, showcasing their lesser-known stars on the Strikeforce:Challengers series on Showtime. With the voice talents of Gus Johnson calling the action, Strikeforce has a familiar voice that is somewhat knowledgeable about the sport and is very exciteable. Johnson’s passion may help to draw new fans to the sport of mixed martial arts just to see what all the yelling is about.
Secondly, the cupboard is not bare in the Strikeforce lightweight division. When rumors began swirling about Shields possibly departing from Strikeforce, word began circulating that Strikeforce would stage an 8-man tournament to crown a replacement champion. Strikeforce even named roughly a dozen fighters as possibilities to fill out the tournament bracket. In the weeks following Shields’ release, Strikeforce scrapped the idea of the tournament format in favor of a championship bout between Tim Kennedy and Jacare Souza (two of the possibilities for the tournament) in order to crown a new champion. Even though the 8-man tournament (which has been successfully utilized by every promotion from the UFC to the Pride Grand Prix to Bellator) never came to fruition, it still speaks volumes that Strikeforce has a roster full of fighters worthy to fight for the belt at a moment’s notice. Due to the fact that Shields was not the division’s only capable fighter, I am almost certain that Strikeforce will not crumble due to his departure.
Additionally, they say a wise man learns from his mistakes and the mistakes of others. In this case, let’s hope Scott Coker is a wise man and learns from the mistakes of previously folded organizations. A prime example of what not to do is found by taking a look at Elite XC. If you remember, Elite XC fell apart shortly after it’s most popular fighter (youtube sensation Kimbo Slice) was knocked out in a matter of seconds by a last minute replacement. The lesson we can learn is this: though it may be tempting to heavily advertise a fighter with more marketing appeal as a gimmick than actual fighting skills, DON’T DO IT! Strikeforce could find themselves in a similar situation if they so chose. Strikeforce has signed Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker and former WWE wrestler Dave Batista to their line-ups (It is worth noting that I am not including former WWE wrestler Bobby Lashley as he has significant wrestling experience under his belt and may pose more of a threat in his division than the previously mentioned fighters, similar to what Brock Lesnar has done in the UFC) and these fighters have generated a good deal of interest. While Walker has martial arts training and Batista is a true physical specimen, I sincerely hope Strikeforce does not allow all of it’s hopes rest upon the successes of either man. As previously mentioned, Strikeforce has a real stable of fighters with years and years of training and experience and those are the ones that deserve the immediate spotlight.
In conclusion, I hope that the split between Jake Shields and Strikeforce ends up working out for the better for both parties. Shields now finds himself in a deep UFC welterweight division and he will make his UFC debut against the dangerous Martin Kampmann. Shields only has a few steps to climb before being matched with GSP in what would be a wrestling fan’s dream matchup. Without Jake, Strikeforce will be just fine, but it is important that they make good, solid business decisions in order to move on from the loss of a champion.
By Curt Heinrichs
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer