Shields vs Lawler Set For Strikeforce

by Robert Sargent

Moving up in weight for a new challenge, final EliteXC Welterweight Champion Jake Shields will battle heavy handed final EliteXC Middleweight Champion "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler on June 6th in Strikeforce. The event will air live on Showtime.

Shields (22-4-1) was originally set to face Joe "Diesel" Riggs in May, but that fight is now off. Instead, he makes the jump to middleweight to battle Lawler (16-4-0, 1 NC).

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Shields has won 11 straight fights. He holds career victories over Hayato "Mach" Sakurai, Akira Kikuchi, Dave Menne, Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit, Mike Pyle, Nick Thompson and Paul Daley, among others. Though just 30 years of age, Shields has already battled (and defeated) many of the best fighters in the sport.

Lawler, however, will pose a serious challenge for Shields. Lawler's striking is far above that of his opponent, and he will also possess a significant size and strength advantage. Shields has demonstrated poor striking skills in the past, but he managed to avoid damage from Daley en route to a second-round submission.

Known for his power, Lawler has racked up wins over Aaron Riley, Chris Lytle, Falaniko Vitale (twice), Joey Villasenor, Frank Trigg, Murilo "Ninja" Rua and Scott Smith, among others. An incredible 13 of his 16 wins have come by knockout.

The game plans for each fighter are simple. Lawler will look to use his takedown defence and wrestling to keep the fight standing, where a knockout victory is all but assured. Shields will seek to get the fight on the ground, where his submission prowess could prove to be too much for Lawler.

Either way, the fight is poised to be an excellent main event for Strikeforce, as it begins its new venture with Showtime.


Also on the June 6th card is a Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship bout between champion Renato "Babalu" Sobral and rising standout Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante.