Shields To Defend Title Against Alessio

[Grabaka]

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Shields To Defend Title Against Alessio
Michael Huckaby
MMA Reporter

POSTED: August 13, 2008 - 9:09 pm

CATEGORIES: MMA


In an interview with nokaut.com, Jake Shields seemingly confirms his next title defense will be against journeyman John Alessio:

Darrick: You just found out that you will be defending your title against John Alessio in about five weeks. What are your thoughts about this match?

Jake: I’m excited to be back at it. I trained all year without getting to fight until July, so I’m ready. I think John will be a good fight, he has good all-around skills and he always brings it. I’m sure he’ll be ready.

The fight wouldn’t seem to be any type of challenge for Shields. I still wonder why Zuffa wouldn’t keep Alessio under WEC contract as a veteran gatekeeper to test other welterweights. None the less, Alessio would be a solid future addition in EXC should he be kept. Scott Smith has proven himself to be very useful for the company after being let go by the UFC. Your past doesn’t matter if a majority of the viewing audience doesn’t know about

I hope this isn't true. Alessio hasn't done anything lately to really deserve an immediate title shot. I guess this is the best EliteXC can do for now. It should be another easy win for Shields. Alessio just isn't on his level.

[brutus]

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I hope this isn't true. Alessio hasn't done anything lately to really deserve an immediate title shot. I guess this is the best EliteXC can do for now. It should be another easy win for Shields. Alessio just isn't on his level.

i couldn't agree more. this is not good IMO. It won't help shields become recognized at one of the top WW's in the world as he deserves to be. I really hope this isn't the truth.

[neonatural]

Another decent fighter.

[Boo]

If not Alessio, then who? Elite doesn't have a ton of options. Maybe someone signed with Dream?

[Grabaka]

I'd personally rather see him fight Daley. That would make for a more explosive fight IMO. From what I read in an artcle at MMAWeekly, Shields has been offered a fight at 185 in another organization against a "top middleweight". He's waiting for the approval from EliteXC to take the fight. I'm thinking its Affliction or DREAM.

[neonatural]

I'd like to see him and Mayhem fight. Mayhem isn't schedualed anywhere soon I don't think

[Grabaka]

^It looks like it's Affliction that wants him to fight a top middleweight, according to this report from Howie:

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Exclusive: Jake Shields Could Fight At Affliction 2 MMANEWS.COM

By Chris Howie


Rumors have been circulating around the internet recently about who the next possible opponent and possible card Jake Shddfields will next fight upon. The EliteXC Welterweight Champion spoke with MMANews.com earlier today and confirmed that there was a good chance he would not be fighting John Alessio. The Shields/Alessio fight had been rumored for some time but nothing had been officially announced.

"That fight was on the table but I'm looking at something different right now," Shields told MMANews.com "This is a really great offer that I'm just waiting for approval on from EliteXC."

"This fight is a great fight for me and the money is great as well," Shields continued They're (EliteXC) not happy about it but my manager has has a meeting with them on Monday to try and work things out."

There have been mumblings of a Frank Trigg vs Jake Shields superfight at the Oct. 3rd Strikeforce card but when contacted by MMANews.com, Strikeforce VP Mike Afromowitz said the rumor was "False".

When asked if he could say who the company was the fight could possibly be with, Shields replied "Affliction."

Although Affliction does not have a lot of a lot of top tier welterweights, there have been rumors that Vitor Belfort could possibly be injured and that would leave Matt Lindland without an opponent for the Oct. 11th Affliction 2 card in Las Vegas.

No one could be reached to confirm anything within Affliction but more news on this should be known Monday when Shields manager and EXC sit down to try and work something out.

[neonatural]

I consider Mayhem top, especially for Affliction. Besides Lindland and Belfort I say that Mayhem is the best they can get at the moment. Misaki is booked, Trigg is booked etc. Mayhem would make sense to me

[Grabaka]

I'd rather see Mayhem fight in the reserve bout for the DREAM MWGP. I think he's deserving of another chance if someone gets hurt in the semi-finals.