Top 5 Opponents for Jake Shields

As I said in my previous article about recent ufc acquisition Jake Shields (which you can view here), I have a good feeling about former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields making his way into the Octagon. While Shields has yet to put pen to paper, news of his signing has mostly been confirmed as a lock, to the point where rumors have shifted to his first opponent. Some are already fingering Martin Kampmann as the man to welcome Shields into the top promotion in the world, and I have to admit, that fight has a lot of potential. But here are my top five opponents for Jake Shields in the UFC.

5. Jon Fitch

I’ve used the term “disgustingly beautiful” in the past when it comes to Jon Fitch’s style of grinding, and I think a fight with Shields would be one of the dirtiest grinders ever. I can see both men digging their heels in and giving us a three-round war filled with constant grappling, dirty boxing, and lots and lots of takedowns. Joe Rogan once said “embrace the grind” when it comes to Jon Fitch, and I’ve honestly learned to love the grind. Jon Fitch vs. Jake Shields would be a fantastic way for Jake Shields to prove once and for all that his grappling is at a “best in the world” level.

4. Josh Koscheck

I think “KOS” would be very dynamic in a fight with Jake Shields, mixing up his wrestling and his improved striking to really try and get in Shields’ head. Koscheck has never looked better going into his fight with current UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre, and even if GSP remains Koscheck’s white whale, I consider Josh the best wrestler/striker in the UFC, now that GSP has virtually abandoned his stand-up game in his last several fights.

3. Dan Hardy

Former Welterweight contender Dan Hardy perhaps gained more respect in his loss to GSP than most fighters gain when they win. I see a fight with Shields closely mirroring the fight with St. Pierre, although I think Shields will pull the trigger and snap a ligament if Hardy refuses to tap. Hardy has so much heart that even if 90% of the fight is Jake Shields controlling him on the ground, I’d still probably find it entertaining.

2. Thiago Alves

It may end up looking like the GSP/Alves fight, with Shields constantly looking for the takedown, but it would certainly be suspenseful to see if Alves can land that lucky counter-punch that eluded him in the GSP fight. Shields was on wobbly legs following a flurry from Dan Henderson, that same flurry in the hands of Thiago Alves would give Alves the KO. As one of the only top-tier pure strikers left in the UFC’s Welterweight division, this would be a clash of styles that should make for an entertaining fight.

And what will probably come as a surprise to no one, my #1 pick goes to…

1. Georges St. Pierre

People are already talking about this fight. Call me crazy, but I think Jake Shields has the ability to submit Georges St. Pierre. GSP hasn’t faced a submission specialist that is both in his prime and a natural Welterweight in…well, let’s just say that it’s been quite some time. GSP will have to work for every takedown attempt, and I think if Shields makes him work hard enough, GSP’s mental fortitude will slip just enough for Shields to lock in a submission. To be frank, GSP has been running scared and exclusively using his admittedly impressive ground game since Matt Serra TKO’d him at UFC 69. If Shields can break GSP mentally by playing his game and beating him at it, it’s only a matter of time before GSP slips up and gets tapped.

And what do you think, fans and friends? Who would you pay to see Jake Shields fight?