shields as a litmus test.....

does jake go fight where his biggest challenges reside?

or does he say let me defend this belt on cbs(im sure coker will allow that stipulation in a contract) and let sf continue to work to bring top flight challengers to me?

does the freedom that sf gives it's fighters and their willingness to co promote(which gil made note of post fight) out weigh the name recognition that the UFC provides.

Obviously jake did feel disrespected so maybe his mind is already made(or at least he is already leaning) but I think jake's decision here will be a tell tale sign as to how top fighters feel about the overall product that sf provides.

Its going to come down to money. Whoever shows more to Jake will probably get him. Both provide a big stage so I don't think either has the edge there. What UFC does provide is the best fighters. If Jake wants to proves he's a true MW champ then he needs to fight Silva. Or if he wants to move back down to 170 then there is GSP and a boat load of top contenders at both divisions.

but I think $$$ will be close.

Now if shields takes less to go to the UFC, then that would be a story.

I don't think he is going to get the top challengers in SF, he needs to go to the UFC and see what he's got, is it foreshadowing though that Shiels in on Chuck's team in the Ultimate Fighter Show

Jake should realize by holding out for another year it won't hurt him by staying in SF. If he goes on to win a few more then he will be worth more. If he goes to UFC and loses where will he be?

Well, if Strikeforce can exercise one more fight on him without signing an extention...give him Jacare. Save yourself some money Scott.

If not, he'll probably stay in Strikeforce for more than he's worth.

Jake will want to go to fight the best

rematch wit Mayhem!!!

Shields should just hold his belt in SF and defend it. He won't be champ in the UFC. He's not gonna beat Anderson at 185 and he's not gonna beat GSP at 170. He should just stay where he can be champ. Big fish in a small pond. The grass ain't always greener buddy.

Everyone said he wouldn't beat Henderson also. I think he's a competitor and isn't going to hide in Strikeforce. I think we'll see him in the UFC by the end of the year.

freakzilla316ftw wrote:

Everyone said he wouldn't beat Henderson also. I think he's a competitor and isn't going to hide in Strikeforce. I think we'll see him in the UFC by the end of the year.

Henderson is old, has major back problems, and isn't GSP or Anderson. There's a reason Hendo held two belts in Pride and quickly lost them when he came to the UFC.