Strikeforce Champ Jake Shields a Free Agent After April 17, Gegard Mousasi Plans to Sign New Strikeforce Deal
Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields will become a free agent following his headlining title defense against Dan Henderson at “Strikeforce: Nashville” on April 17, while light heavyweight title-holder Gegard Mousasi may also complete his contract when he takes on Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal at the CBS-televised event.
According to MMAjunkie, Shield’s contract lacks a standard “champion clause,” that would have required him to stay with the promotion if he won, and he will instead explore his options, likely including the UFC, following his bout with Henderson.
Meanwhile, Mousasi told MMAjunkie he plans to sign a long-term contact with Strikeforce following his matchup with Lawal, which would likely be a seven-fight deal, though a win would automatically extend his current contract for one year.
For the latest Strikeforce news and Strikeforce rumors stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com.
Tags: Gegard Mousasi, Jake Shields
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This is potential fireworks for the UFC if Shields decides to sign with them. My guess is Shields would either get the #2 ww and then be in line to take on GSP. I would love shields to compete at 170 against the rest of the best ww’s. Even if he loses the mw belt to Hendo, that wouldn’t effect his ww status imo.
I hope mousasi whoops on king mo. Does anyone know why mousasi wouldn’t want to join the UFC? If I remember correctly, Dana said he was interested in Gegard. It could be the flexibility to do other things besides just MMA and Strikeforce but i’m not sure. There is far more competition in the UFC for a guy like gegard then there will ever be at strikeforce.
I agree with you Jazz. Shields fight with Hendo is a win win. Either he wins and just beat the #2 MW or he loses and everyone thinks, well what is Shields even doing at MW to begin with. Yes if he gets into the UFC a fight between the winner of Alves/Finch or Kos/Dailey will defently determine the next number 1 contender.
As for Mousasi. I think he wants to build up to Heavyweight before he joins the UFC. I feel he should join the UFC after his next fight, but he has the Dream torny hes joining and i’m sure more Strikeforce fight this year. Altough im sure they’re just going to recycle the fighters he has already fought because there isn’t much competition at 205 outside the UFC. We’ll have to wait and see.
Mousasi is already slated to compete in Dream’s upcoming light heavyweight tournament, which would preclude him from signing a UFC contract anyways.
Shields has wanted to fight in the UFC for awhile. This could all just be posturing though in hopes he can gain a larger payday if he wins against Hendo. Should all be interesting.
i would’ve love to see Moussai in UFC aganist stacked L HW.. i believe he still wants to fight for DREAM and compete in Japan which in Ufc he can’t.. I like Shields but it be hard for him in UFC even if he drops to WW. to many good competition.
I’ve always wanted to see Mousasi fight Lil Nog, oh well.
Oh man do i agree with you lex415, f’n fireworks that would be!!
Looks like GSP might get a ligit contender to fight soon ;)
Please, are you kidding Gsp would kill Shields. He might be on a win streak and tough but always boring.
I am a GSP fan and i dont really care for Shields but i have to say, Shields could probably beat the top WWs.. swick would get outwrestled, kos would get outstriked, and fitch would get outboringed
Two things to consider here:
- GSP has faced and defeated several “legit” contenders, such as BJ Penn, Matt Hughes [when he was still near his prime], Thiago Alves and Jon Fitch.
He’s also defeated Josh Koscheck in a 3 rounder.
And as much respect as I have for the usually-accurate POVs of russoc13, and of course Jake Shields, it bears posting that at this point in his career Shields couldn’t defeat ANY of the fighters I’ve listed, with the exception of 2010 Matt Hughes, so lets bear that in mind when we talk “legitimacy”.
Koscheck, Fitch, Alves, and Penn all are either too strong, too experienced, too good a wrestler or striker, or too insanely skilled overall [in the case of Penn] to reasonably think otherwise.
- Unfortunately Mousasi has gotten himself all tangled up with overseas stuff, so it will probably be awhile, if ever, before we see him in the Octagon. The man has talent, and a world of potential, and would obviously face a higher level of 205 competition in the UFC, but until he’s prepared to leave off fighting on the Japanese circuit his UFC roster spot will remain unclaimed.
Also, kicking M-1 Global to the curb was a great step forward in getting himself sorted out in terms of the business side of MMA.
Signing a SEVEN FIGHT DEAL, if that in fact happens, with an MMA org thats currently maintaining a tenuous hold on the number 2 spot in North America is IMO a step backward…