Jake Shields has finally received a date for his long-awaited return to the middleweight division— and an opponent.
The former Strikeforce champion will make his UFC middleweight debut in August at UFC 150 against longtime MMA veteran Ed Herman. UFC President Dana White confirmed the bout via his Twitter account last night:
Shields last fought at UFC 144 in February, taking a unanimous decision victory over Japanese superstar Yoshihiro Akiyama in his home country.
The win broke a two-fight losing skid that included a 53-second technical knockout loss to Jake Ellenberger last September and a unanimous decision defeat against UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre in his title bid at UFC 129.
Before joining the UFC, Shields last fought at middleweight against former Strikeforce and Pride champion Dan Henderson at Strikeforce: Nashville. Shields won the bout via unanimous decision to successfully defend his title.
The event, however, was marred by the infamous “Nashville Brawl,” as some of Shields’ teammates got into an altercation with Jason “Mayhem” Miller, who entered the cage to call out the then champion.
Meanwhile, Herman is currently riding an impressive three-fight win-streak, with his latest victory coming over Clifford Starks at UFC 143 via second round rear-naked choke. The win was Herman’s second straight submission victory, having previously defeated the Ultimate Fighter season 11 alum Kyle Noke last August via first-round heel hook.
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