UFC has gained a high level welterweight addition to the division as former Strikeforce champion Jake Shields has signed with the promotion and, according to GracieFighter.com, will face a top contender in his debut match:
“Jake Shields will be debuting at the 170lbs weight division in the UFC. After careful consideration and consulting with UFC representatives it was determined Jake would be finally going back to his original fighting weight. [His] opponent is one of the UFC’s top contenders and will be announced shortly.”
Shields has been on a run for some time, taking out Robbie Lawler in 2009, then Jason Miller and Dan Henderson and there had been considerable speculation concerning Shields defecting to UFC from Strikeforce. Shields has been vocal about facing current UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre as well as middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
No word on who the “top contender” is, but Shields is a welcome addition to a somewhat stiffled welterweight field. Look for Shields to hit the Octagon some time this year and try to continue his winning ways.
Update:
Sports Illustrated Josh Gross say’s Shields isn’t signed yet but they’ll get the deal done next week.
Jake Shields isn’t officially signed with the UFC. The money is agreed to, but the contract isn’t finalized. Next week most likely.
Update II: UFC president Dana White sent a message to MMAFighting.com, saying the announcement that Jake Shields had signed with the UFC was “not true” and that negotiations between the two sides, “They take time.”