Jake Shields not 100% about a move back to middleweight but admits he feels stronger
Former Strikeforce middleweight champion, Jake Shields has today admitted that he’s not 100% about a move back to the 185 pound ranks despite reports to the contrary earlier this week, although he does admit the extra poundage means he feels that much stronger inside the cage.
Speaking via MMAWeekly.com, Shields said:
“I just feel a little stronger (at middleweight). It really helps my takedowns the most. Takedowns are where you really need that strength and I just feel like I can sustain my energy a little better without the cut. I just feel like it drains me a little bit, cuts back on my cardio. Sometimes you see guys who cut less weight do well. Like Frankie Edgar and Dan Henderson are two examples of two guys who really don’t cut that much weight, but do great.”
“Right now, I’m trying to bulk up and see how I feel. It’s not 100-percent, but I’m waiting to see on an opponent and then I’ll take it of course, and I just felt like cutting weight makes you feel a little weak. I’m certainly not against it and I’m kind of leaning towards taking a fight at 185. I’m just trying to make sure I put on a few pounds first. I’m not really that big, but I’m feeling strong. I’m only weighing like 190 or so, but just those extra couple pounds from like 185 to 190 I just feel so much stronger. It’s that last little weight that wears me out.”
“I felt fine, but I feel like the last five pounds kind of weakens me out. I feel like I’m definitely still capable of fighting at 170, it’s not like I’m saying I’m done at 70 for good. I’ve got wins over (Carlos) Condit and (Martin) Kampmann, and these guys are the top contenders. So I’m not against fighting at 170. It’s just at this point I’m undefeated at 85. I just feel like try it out there and see how I feel, and make the decision from there what I want to do with my career.”
“I told them I’d like to fight late July/early August. I’m waiting to hear a call from them. I’m in no rush. If they call with an opponent at 85, I’d take it right now cause I’ll have enough time to bulk up, I’m just trying to lift. But I’m not opposed to fighting at 70, if they call with a good offer for a fight at 70, then I’d take that as well. I talked to my manager and I talked to Joe briefly about it, and he said he thought it could kind of be a good idea. I’m just kind of letting Joe and my manager figure it out to be honest.”
Shields dropped to 170 pounds after joining the UFC, picking up a very close decision win over Martin Kampmann on his debut. Losses to Georges St. Pierre and Jake Ellenberger followed but he got back to winning ways with another close decision win over Yoshihiro Akiyama. Stay tuned to MMABay for more on this as we get it.
By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)
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