It was not pretty, But Jake Shields got his hand raised in his long-awaited UFC debut.
The former two-division champion Strikeforce Earned a hard-fought Split Decision victory over Martin Kampmann in the co-main event of UFC 121 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.. Though they did Enough Thurs earn the victory, Shields only vaguely resembled the WHO dismantled fighter Dan Henderson just six months ago.
"I do not want to make excuses, But it was my first time at 170 in a while," Shields said at the post-fight press conference. "I cut 20 pounds in a day. I'll never do that again. "
Though the former EliteXC Welterweight champ controlled the fight on the ground, it was clear That the massive weight cut Took ITS toll is Shields. While aggressive in round one, the Cesar Gracie product visibly slowed as the fight wore is looking more exhausted with Each passing minute. To His credit, Shields gutted through the fatigue and scored a takedown in Round Three, Eventually working his way onto Kampmann's back.
"Martin is a great fighter. I do not think it was my best performance, But this is a learning experience, "said Shields. "I Kept my winning streak going, and I'm going to come back Stronger next time."
UFC president Dana White was sympathetic Not Thurs Shields' weight issues on Saturday night.
"I think they did things wrong That Will not they will do next time. They cut too much weight, that's his problem. That's ridiculous Thurs cut 20 pounds in a day. That's stupid, "said White.
Though the UFC boss was definitely irritated, That Does not Mean That Is not Shields, his choice as No.. 1 contender for the Welterweight title. White tempered his comments on Shields' weight cut with "some positive feedback about his performance.
"I thought Martin was a tough fight for Jake coming in. No Matter What he's done in the past, that's tough coming into the UFC for the first time, "said White. "[Shields] beat a tough guy. Any I do not think differently about the kid now than I did at the Weigh-in yesterday. "
But Shields Should really be fighting at 170 considering the trouble they had occurred in just making weight? Would a run at the middle-weight, M, they did his Most recent Damage in Strikeforce, be a smarter choice for Shields? White believes it Would Not.
"Look at his frame. They Should Be at 170 pounds. If they are fights at the 185 here, He'll feel the difference in strength and size against guys like Anderson Silva and Nate Marquardt, "said the UFC president.
And as for Martin Kampmann, White believes That the scrappy Dane let a victory slip through his fingers That May Haunt him for the rest of his career.
"Kampmann is a game guy. He's a tough kid WHO always brings it, "said White. "But Kampmann Would not just let his hands go. I think He'll regret it the rest of his life. I think they Blew it and press it Did not like they Should Have. "
Of course, the prize That Both men Covet at 170 pounds is Georges St. Pierre's title, the champ Which will put on the line against Josh Koscheck at UFC 124 in December. After confirming Indeed That Shields was now the official number one contender, White was asked how they believed Shields Would match up against GSP or Koscheck. The UFC president was impartial in his response, But they did offer up an assertion That Shields' fans Would likely be quick echo Thurs.
"I can not judge [how they matches up against St. Pierre, Koscheck or] by tonight's fight. It is what it is. He's a grown man, and knows how they Should have done things, "said White. "I think we'll see A Different Jake Shields in his next fight."
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