Jake Shields bails on Jon Fitch title fight following ‘bulls–t little games’ with WSOF

World Series of Fighting (WSOF) was anticipating a bout between Jon Fitch and Jake Shields to crown a new welterweight champion following the departure of Rousimar Palhares, but the latter is opting out of his title shot over a contractual dispute.

A World Series of Fighting (WSOF) card scheduled for April 2016 that was likely to be WSOF 30: “Fitch vs. Shields” now has a completely new main event thanks to a recent contractual dispute.

WSOF tried to put together Jon Fitch vs. Jake Shields for a welterweight fight to crown a new champion, with the previous champion, Rousimar Palhares, being stripped of the belt because of his conduct in the cage against Shields.

As the last man who fought Palhares for the title, Shields was clearly in line for the vacant belt, but WSOF President Ray Sefo was unable to put the fight together after some last minute (and unexpected) re-negotiations.

From Sefo:

“While I thought everyone was on board to make this fight happen, unfortunately Jake Shields has informed us that he does not intend to honor the terms of his existing contract at this time and declined to sign a bout agreement to fight Jon Fitch, so we’ve had to go in a different direction. Fortunately, we found someone on our roster who was willing to step up for this incredible opportunity not only to potentially win a title, but also to face one of MMA’s all-time greats in Jon Fitch.”

That new direction involves WSOF 25 lightweight tournament competitor Joao Zeferino, who initially submitted Brian Foster by heel hook to advance, but was ultimately beaten by Foster in the finals because of injury substitutions.

As for Shields? The former Strikeforce champ tells his side of the story to MMA Fighting:

“They’re playing bullshit little games with me. They basically said they were just going to sit on my contract. It was take the title fight, or no fight at all. I signed the contract I signed of my own free will, I’m not complaining about that, but it’s either take the title fight and get stuck with my old deal if I win, or no other fight. This is happening right when I was about to start my camp.”

Messy.

The city and venue for WSOF 30: “Fitch vs. Zeferino” are to be determined at a later date.

To check out the latest WSOF-related news and notes click here.

World Series of Fighting (WSOF) was anticipating a bout between Jon Fitch and Jake Shields to crown a new welterweight champion following the departure of Rousimar Palhares, but the latter is opting out of his title shot over a contractual dispute.

A World Series of Fighting (WSOF) card scheduled for April 2016 that was likely to be WSOF 30: “Fitch vs. Shields” now has a completely new main event thanks to a recent contractual dispute.

WSOF tried to put together Jon Fitch vs. Jake Shields for a welterweight fight to crown a new champion, with the previous champion, Rousimar Palhares, being stripped of the belt because of his conduct in the cage against Shields.

As the last man who fought Palhares for the title, Shields was clearly in line for the vacant belt, but WSOF President Ray Sefo was unable to put the fight together after some last minute (and unexpected) re-negotiations.

From Sefo:

“While I thought everyone was on board to make this fight happen, unfortunately Jake Shields has informed us that he does not intend to honor the terms of his existing contract at this time and declined to sign a bout agreement to fight Jon Fitch, so we’ve had to go in a different direction. Fortunately, we found someone on our roster who was willing to step up for this incredible opportunity not only to potentially win a title, but also to face one of MMA’s all-time greats in Jon Fitch.”

That new direction involves WSOF 25 lightweight tournament competitor Joao Zeferino, who initially submitted Brian Foster by heel hook to advance, but was ultimately beaten by Foster in the finals because of injury substitutions.

As for Shields? The former Strikeforce champ tells his side of the story to MMA Fighting:

“They’re playing bullshit little games with me. They basically said they were just going to sit on my contract. It was take the title fight, or no fight at all. I signed the contract I signed of my own free will, I’m not complaining about that, but it’s either take the title fight and get stuck with my old deal if I win, or no other fight. This is happening right when I was about to start my camp.”

Messy.

The city and venue for WSOF 30: “Fitch vs. Zeferino” are to be determined at a later date.

To check out the latest WSOF-related news and notes click here.