Jake Shields finally jumped on board with the UFC last week and was the recipient of some criticism from several directions. Some called his fighting style tedious. Others wonder why the average sample from Strikeforce is fighting for his new boss at welterweight. Miguel Torres, a former champion down to 135, suggested that Shields was afraid to fight Anderson Silva.
"I think he is always out of 185, because he is a bit afraid of Anderson (Silva)," Torres said during last week's stint as guest host on "MMA Live on Espn2" (start 26 left sign). "Anderson of a tough guy struggling in this weight class and he is thinking St. Pierre a fight easier ".
ESPN was nice enough to include me in the discussion. I disagree with Torres. Of greatest strength shields is his grappling.Takedown defense might be the only weakness of Silva. Then theoretically St. Pierre, with its excellent wrestling MMA, is actually a challenge more difficult for Shields. Shields MMAWeekly radio that was explained simply a case of watching the fastest route for a title shot (video below).
"Obviously if I'm close to obtain a title shot is a huge factor," commented Shields on his choice of weight class. "I'm not really sure if this is going to be fighting a competitor number one or not, it doesn't have hinted to me, but there's a good chance if I go out there and look really well done, it is certainly a possibility."
He might be right.If GSP beats Koscheck, UFC may be looking for a fresh face to intensify.That could be the winner of shields and his opponent at UFC 121 in October, Martin Kampmann.
Torres didn't even like the choice because he believes Shields is now a natural Middleweight.
"I think it might be too much of a cut of weight," Torres said on MMA Live. sometimes trying to cut, which is a little too much for you and I think Shields is about to discover the right off the bat. He's a great fighter but that weight class, cut that weight is going to be rough, "said Torres.
By the numbers, Shields is far from being a natural Middleweight. Admittedly, he looked physically quite large when he faced guys like Robbie Lawler and Dan Henderson, but said MMA Weekly that he is now at 195. most of UFC middleweights are much larger than walking around 205-220 pounds.
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