Table of Contents
- 1. Jake Shields's Details
- 2. Jake Shields’s Biography
- 2.1. Jake Shields’s Early Life & Amateur Fighting
- 2.2. Jake Shields’s Pro BJJ Combat
- 2.3. Jake Shields’s Pro-MMA Combat
- 2.4. Jake Shields’s Historic Fights
- 2.5. Jake Shields’s BJJ Instructorship
- 2.6. Jake Shields’s Championship & Accomplishments
- 3. Jake Shields’s Main Achievements
- 4. Jake Shields’s Main Achievements (Belts)
- 5. Jake Shields’s Main Achievements (MMA)
- 6. Jake Shields’s BJJ Professional Record Breakdown
- 7. Jake Shields’s BJJ Fight History
- 8. Jake Shields's MMA Professional Record Breakdown
- 9. Jake Shields’s MMA Fight History
- 10. Jake Shields’s Top Fights (Video Links)
1. Jake Shields's Details
| Name | Jake Shields |
| Nickname | N./A |
| Born | Summertown, Tennessee, United States |
| Date of Birth | January 9, 1979 |
| Nationality | American |
| College/University | San Francisco State University |
| Last Fight | October 20, 2018, in Professional Fighters League (PFL) |
| Last Weigh In | 170 lbs |
| Weight Class | Peso Medio (82 kg); Welterweight |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77 kg) |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in |
| Reach | 72 in |
| Career Disclosed Earnings | $419,000 |
| Fighting out of | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Foundational style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Wrestling | NCAA Division II Wrestling |
| Favorite Technique | Sweep Single Takedown Guillotine |
| Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu A-Class Shootist |
| Awarded By | Cesar Gracie |
| Lineage | Mitsuyo Maeda -> Carlos Gracie Sr. -> Robson Gracie -> Cesar Gracie -> Jake Shields |
| Team/Association | Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu El Nino Sports Fairtex Gym |
2. Jake Shields’s Biography
“As long as you are open-minded you can learn stuff from anyone.”
(Jake Shields)
True to his words Jake Shields learned different combat styles ranging from wrestling, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and mixed martial arts. He aspires to learn from others and inspires others to learn from him. He is now teaching his unique “American Jiu-Jitsu” techniques to the world.
2.1. Jake Shields’s Early Life & Amateur Fighting
Jake Shields, the greatest American MMA fighter, was born on January 9, 1979. Shields was raised near Mountain Ranch, California in the Sierra Nevada. He was home-schooled till junior high and didn’t enjoy conventional social opportunities; hence led to an isolated childhood. Shields shared a bond with his older brothers’ friends. With his gang, Shields relished adventure and discovered his love for mountain biking, wild caving, snowboarding, climbing mountains, and wrestling.
Love for Vegetarian Diet
Later in life, he realized his love for a vegetarian diet. He explained to the Bleacher Report:
“ I’ve been a lifelong vegetarian. I am a vegetarian and it’s always been a way of life.”
Success in Amateur Wrestling
Fond of wrestling, Shields’ amateur wrestling career began at the tender age of nine. He proved himself in various competitions and became a four-year varsity wrestler at Calaveras High School. Furthermore, he finished 2nd place at the Amateur Athletic Union National Freestyle Championship.
Qualifying for the USA Nationals, FILA Nationals, and World Team Trials were additional achievements under his belt. In 1997, Shields secured 4th place in the California JC State Tournament (80 kg weight division). In 1998, he won 3rd place in the same tournament in a different weight class (89 kg division).
MMA Training, Kickboxing & Chuck Lidell
The year 1999 marked the beginning of Shields’ mixed martial arts career when he learned kickboxing at the SLO Kickboxing Academy in San Luis Obispo, California. At this fateful place, he met Chuck Lidell and picked up some magical kickboxing skills to work on.
An injured teammate was all it took for Shields to fight his first MMA match at 185 lbs. He then proceeded to fight five more fights in this weight division.
These victories helped Shields decide to pursue a glorious career in mixed martial arts.
Wrestling Scholarship
Everything Shields learned from wrestling helped him through every rite of passage. His skills opened the doors to San Francisco State University, where he was awarded a wrestling scholarship.
Cesar Gracie Fight Team & Jiu-Jitsu
After developing strong wrestling skills and being exposed to mixed martial arts Shields ventured into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and began training with the Cesar Gracie Team.
As expected, he made immense progress in the sport.
The Cesar Gracie Fight Team provided guidance and life-altering friendships. Consequently, Shields formed a strong bond with Gilbert Melendez and Nick Diaz.
2.2. Jake Shields’s Pro BJJ Combat
The Pinnacle of BJJ Career
In 2005, he participated in the highest level jiu-jitsu competitions, the ADCC Submission Wrestling Championship, and the Pan American Championship, bringing home a bronze and gold medal.
Fairtex Combat Academy
Shields did justice to every martial art he aimed to learn and master. While fighting and learning jiu-jitsu, he continued to train in kickboxing. For this purpose, he joined a team of professionals at the Fairtex Combat Academy and trained with Muay Thai champions Jongsanan Fairtex and Alex Gong.
Elevation to Back Belt Level
In 2007, Jake Shields was promoted to a black belt by Cesar Gracie.
2.3. Jake Shields’s Pro-MMA Combat
Jake Shields - The Highlights of MMA Career
Shields’ striking victories at the Shooto World Mixed Martial Arts Championship and the Rumble of the Rock World Championship earned him the current status of MMA Champion.
In 1999, Shields fought his first MMA fight against Paul Harrison at CFF: The Cobra Qualifier 1999. He won the fight by knockout (TKO punches). He continued to compete in small promotional events till the next big competition came along.
In 2007, Shields signed a contract with Elite XC. His first fight was against Renato Verissimo, an opponent who could not withstand Shields’ powerful TKO punches and elbows.
After Verissimo, Shields defeated Mike Pyle with a brilliant rear-naked choke at Elite XC: Renegade. The next fight against Nick Thompson was yet another win for Shields at Elite XC: Unfinished Business. After he finished Thompson with a guillotine choke, Shields proceeded to successfully defend his title at Elite XC: Heat against Paul Daley.
At Strikeforce: Fedor vs Rogers, Shields competed for the vacant Strikeforce Middleweight Championship. Cung Le had stepped down and his decision created a momentous opportunity for Shields to claim the title after submitting Jason Miller via unanimous decision. He successfully defended his title against Dan Henderson and later stepped down to switch to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
UFC Debut
Shields’ skills prevailed in his debut fight at UFC 121. He secured a win against Martin Kampmann with a split decision. At UFC 129, he lost the match to the UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre via unanimous decision. After six more UFC fights, Shields moved on to the World Series of Fighting (WSOF).
UFC Setback
In 2011, Shields suffered a major UFC TKO defeat at the hands of Jake Ellenberger. Ellenberger started the fight with an uppercut and threw Shields to the ground. Shields went for a takedown that Ellenberger easily defended. Ellenberger then repeatedly punched Shields as he lay on the ground. The referee quickly interfered to save Shields from the violent attack. As a result, the fight was brought to an abrupt end and Ellenberger was declared the winner.
WSOF Debut
Jake Shields won his MMA debut at WSOF 14 by subduing Ryan Ford with a rear-naked choke. After some time, WSOF rebranded as Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Shields’ first fight at PFL: Everett was against Danny Davis Jr., winning via unanimous decision.
2.4. Jake Shields’s Historic Fights
Jake Shields vs Nick Thompson
Though Shields had already won his debut fight, he was still considered a newcomer at the Elite XC. The pressure to win was staggering. He entered and faced Nick Thompson with unwavering confidence.
He demonstrated excellent submission skills to tackle his opponent and won the third consecutive fight of the promotion.
| Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Round | Weight Class | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Elite XC: Unfinished Business | Nick Thompson | W | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | 1 | Welterweight | California, US |
Jake Shields vs Robbie Lawler
Shields has fought stunning battles but his fight against Robbie Lawler at Strikeforce: Lawler vs Shields in 2009 was hands down the best ever.
Lawler didn’t make it easy for Shields. In the beginning, it seemed that he had control of the match. However, Shields quickly turned the tables; he pulled guard and finished Lawler with a lethal guillotine choke.
| Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Round | Weight Class | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields | Robbie Lawler | W | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | 1 | Middleweight | St. Louis, Missouri, US |
Jake Shields vs Tyron Woodley
In 2013, Jake Shields faced off against Tyron Woodley at the UFC 161 event; a challenging bout arranged by the lucrative UFC promotion. The two martial artists entered the octagon to strike, grapple, dominate and submit. The match lasted for three complete rounds. At the end of the third round, Shields won the match via split decision.
| Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Round | Weight Class | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UFC 161 | Tyron Woodley | W | Decision (split) | 3 | Welterweight | Winnipeg. Manitoba, Canada |
2.5. Jake Shields’s BJJ Instructorship
Time as an Instructorship
From 2002 to 2008, Shields remained the head instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts (MMA) at the Fairtex-Gracie affiliate academy in San Francisco.
Jake Shields’ “American Jiu-Jitsu”
Inspired by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jake Shields invented American Jiu-Jitsu. Ths combat style is a combination of self-defense-oriented, traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and aggressive transitions used in wrestling.
2.6. Jake Shields’s Championship & Accomplishments
Amateur Wrestling
- USA Wrestling
- Qualified for FILA Junior World Team Trials.
- Qualified for FILA University World Team Trials.
- Amateur Athletic Union
- Secured 2nd place in Freestyle National Wrestling Championship.
- California Community College Athletic Association
| Events | Years |
|---|---|
| All American | 1997, 1998 |
| All-State Selections | 1997, 1998 |
| Western State Conference | 1997, 1998 |
| Collegiate Career Record | Years |
|---|---|
| 56 - 14 | 1997, 1998 |
- California Interscholastic Federation
| Achievement | Years |
|---|---|
| CIF State Championship Qualifier | 1997 |
| Mother Lode League Champion | 1997 |
| Calaveras High School Wrestling Wall of Fame | 1996-1997 |
| Scholastic Career Record | Years |
|---|---|
| 108 - 45 | 1993 -1997 |
1. International (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)
- Pan American Championship
- ADCC Submission Wrestling Championship
- Fight 2 Win Championship
- International Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Championship
- Polaris Pro
- Grapplers Quest
2. International (MMA)
- Elite Xtreme Combat
- Professional Shooto Japan
- Strikeforce
- Rumble on the Rock Welterweight Championship
3. Records/Medals - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- ADCC Submission Wrestling Championship
- Pan American Championship
- F2W Championship
| Event | Year | Medal/ Record |
|---|---|---|
| ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship | 2005 | 1 Bronze Medal
|
| Pan American Championship | 2005 | 1 Gold Medal
|
3. Jake Shields’s Main Achievements
- He won the Fight 2 Win (FTW) Middleweight Championship once.
| Year | Weight Class |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Middleweight |
- He won the Pan American Championship once.
| Year | Weight Class |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Middleweight |
- He secured 3rd Place in ADCC Submission Wrestling Championship
| Year | Weight Class |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 77 kg |
4. Jake Shields’s Main Achievements (Belts)
| Colored Belt | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Belt | Event | Year |
| 1st | Purple | Pan American Championship | 2005 |
5. Jake Shields’s Main Achievements (MMA)
- He won the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship once.
| Year | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Jason Miller |
- He won the Elite Xtreme Combat Welterweight Championship once.
| Year | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Nick Thompson |
- He won the Professional Shooto Japan Welterweight Championship once.
| Year | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Ray Cooper |
- He won the Rumble on the Rock Welterweight Tournament once.
| Year | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Carlos Condit |
- Jake Shields’s Worldwide MMA Rankings
| Rank | Title |
|---|---|
| 23 | Greatest MMA Grappler of All Time |
| 80 | Greatest MMA Fighter of All Time |
6. Jake Shields’s BJJ Professional Record Breakdown
| Professional Record Breakdown | ||
|---|---|---|
| 32 Matches | 17 Wins | 11 Losses |
| By Submission | 4 | 5 |
| By Points | 3 | 3 |
| By Decision | 5 | 3 |
| By EBI/OT | 4 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 |
| Draw | 4 | |
6.1. Submission Methods W/L
| Method | 4 Wins | 5 Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Armbar | 0 | 3 |
| Guillotine Choke | 0 | 1 |
| RNC | 2 | 0 |
| Heel hook | 1 | 0 |
| Inside Heel hook | 0 | 1 |
| Arm-triangle Choke | 1 | 0 |
7. Jake Shields’s BJJ Fight History
| Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Stage | Weight Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3CG Underdogs | Renato Canuto | L | Armbar | SF | 84 kg |
| 2021 | 3CG Underdogs | Pat Downeey | W | Referee Decision | 4F | 84 kg |
| 2021 | 3CG Underdogs | Eric Alequin | W | Points | R1 | 84 kg |
| 2020 | SUG 14 | Brent Primus | L | Armbar | SPF | 94 kg |
| 2020 | SUG 14 | Richie Martinez | L | Armbar | SPF | ABS |
| 2019 | Quintet Ultra | Gilbert Burns | L | Referee Decision | —-- | ABS |
| 2019 | Quintet Ultra | Glover Teixeira | D | —----- | —-- | ABS |
| 2019 | Quintet Ultra | Cub Swanson | W | Injury | —--- | ABS |
| 2019 | Quintet Ultra | Mark Munoz | W | Arm-triangle Choke | —--- | ABS |
| 2019 | Third Coast III | Romulo Barral | L | Referee Decision | SPf | 86 kg |
| 2019 | SUG 8 | Austin Vanderford | W | EBI/OT | SPF | 88 kg |
| 2019 | Polaris 9 | Rafael Lovato | L | Referee Decision | SPF | 92 kg |
| 2019 | Fight 2 Win 98 | Ron Keslar | W | Referee Decision | —---- | Middleweight |
| 2018 | Polaris 6 | Craig Jones | L | Inside heel hook | SPF | 84 kg |
| 2018 | F2W 62 | Kit Dale | W | Referee Decision | SPF | ABS |
| 2017 | SUG 6 | Gilbert Burns | W | EBI/OT | SPF | ABS |
| 2017 | F2W 51 | Murilo Santana | W | Referee Decision | SPF | 88 kg |
| 2017 | ADCC | Abdurakhman Bilarov | L | Points 5x0 | E1 | 99 kg |
| 2017 | Polaris 5 | Daniel Strauss | W | Referee Decision | SPF | 90 kg |
| 2017 | SUG 4 | Dillon Danis | W | EBI/OT | SPF | 88 kg |
| 2016 | SUG 3 | Chris Lytle | W | EBI/OT | SPF | ABS |
| 2016 | F2W + MP | Lyoto Machida | W | Heel hook | SPF | ABS |
| 2016 | Polaris 3 | AJ Agazarm | D | —----- | SPF | 82 kg |
| 2014 | Metamoris 5 | Roberto de Souza | D | —----- | SPF | ABS |
| 2013 | World Expo | Leandro Lo | D | —----- | SPF | ABS |
| 2006 | LA Sub-X | Saulo Ribeiro | L | Points 2x1 | SPF | ABS |
| 2006 | PSL: X-Mission | Marcelo Garcia | L | Guillotine | SPF | ABS |
| 2005 | Gracie Open | Jon Fitch | W | RNC | SPF | ABS |
| 2005 | ADCC World Championship | Leonardo Santos | W | RNC | 3 PLC | 77 kg |
| 2005 | ADCC World Championship | Pablo Popovitch | L | Points 5x0 | SF | 77 kg |
| 2005 | ADCC World Championship | Cameron Earle | W | Points 3x0 | 4F | 77 kg |
| 2005 | ADCC World Championship | Diego Sanchez | W | Points 6x0 | R1 | 77 kg |
8. Jake Shields's MMA Professional Record Breakdown
| Professional Record Breakdown | ||
|---|---|---|
| 46 Matches | 33 Wins | 11 Losses |
| By Knockout | 3 | 4 |
| By Submission | 12 | 1 |
| By Decision | 18 | 6 |
| Draw | 1 | |
| No Contest (N/C) | 1 | |
8.1. Submission Methods W/L
| Method | 12 Wins | 1 Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Armbar | 1 | 0 |
| Guillotine Choke | 3 | 0 |
| RNC | 6 | 0 |
| Kimura | 0 | 1 |
| Neck Crank | 1 | 0 |
| Choke | 1 | 0 |
9. Jake Shields’s MMA Fight History
| Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Stage/Round | Weight Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | PFL 10 | Ray Cooper III | L | TKO (punches) | 1 | Welterweight |
| 2018 | PFL 6 | Herman Terrado | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | Welterweight |
| 2018 | PFL 3 | Ray Cooper III | L | TKO (punches) | 2 | Welterweight |
| 2017 | PFL: Everett | Danny Davis Jr. | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | Welterweight |
| 2016 | WSOF 34 | Jon Fitch | L | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | Welterweight |
| 2015 | WSOF 22 | Rousimar Palhares | L | Submission (kimura) | 3 | Welterweight |
| 2015 | WSOF 17 | Brian Foster | W | Submission (neck crank) | 1 | Welterweight |
| 2014 | WSOF 14 | Ryan Ford | W | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | Welterweight |
| 2014 | UFC 171 | Héctor Lombard | L | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | Welterweight |
| 2013 | UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields | Demian Maia | W | Decision (split) | 5 | Welterweight |
| 2013 | UFC 161 | Tyron Woodley | W | Decision (split) | 3 | Welterweight |
| 2012 | UFC 150 | Ed Herman | NC | NC (overturned) | 3 | Middleweight |
| 2012 | UFC 144 | Yoshihiro Akiyama | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | Welterweight |
| 2011 | UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger | Jake Ellenberger | L | TKO (knee and punches) | 1 | Welterweight |
| 2011 | UFC 129 | Georges St-Pierre | L | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | Welterweight |
| 2010 | UFC 121 | Martin Kampmann | W | Decision (split) | 3 | Welterweight |
| 2010 | Strikeforce: Nashville | Dan Henderson | W | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | Middleweight |
| 2009 | Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers | Jason Miller | W | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | Middleweight |
| 2009 | Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields | Robbie Lawler | W | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | Middleweight |
| 2008 | EliteXC: Heat | Paul Daley | W | Submission (armbar) | 2 | Welterweight |
| 2008 | EliteXC: Unfinished Business | Nick Thompson | W | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | Welterweight |
| 2007 | EliteXC: Renegade | Mike Pyle | W | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | Welterweight |
| 2007 | EliteXC: Uprising | Renato Verissimo | W | TKO (punches and elbows) | 1 | Catchweight |
| 2007 | Dynamite!! USA | Ido Pariente | W | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | Welterweight |
| 2007 | Bodog Fight: Costa Rica Combat | Ray Steinbeiss | W | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | N/A |
| 2006 | FCP: Malice at Cow Palace | Steve Berger | W | TKO (punches) | 2 | N/A |
| 2006 | Rumble on the Rock 9 | Carlos Condit | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | N/A |
| 2006 | Rumble on the Rock 9 | Yushin Okami | W | Decision (majority) | 3 | N/A |
| 2006 | Rumble on the Rock 8 | Dave Menne | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | Welterweight |
| 2005 | Kage Kombat | Toby Imada | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | N/A |
| 2004 | Shooto: Year End Show 2004 | Akira Kikuchi | L | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | Middleweight |
| 2004 | Shooto Hawaii: Soulja Fight Night | Ray Cooper | W | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | N/A |
| 2003 | Pancrase - Hybrid 10 | Kazuo Misaki | D | Draw | 3 | N/A |
| 2003 | Shooto - 8/10 in Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium | Akira Kikuchi | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | N/A |
| 2003 | Shooto: Midwest Fighting | Milton Vieira | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | N/A |
| 2002 | Shooto: Year End Show 2002 | Hayato Sakurai | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | N/A |
| 2002 | Warriors Quest 6: Best of the Best | Ray Cooper | L | Decision (majority) | 3 | N/A |
| 2001 | GC 7: Casualties of War | Robert Ferguson | W | Decision (unanimous) | 2 | N/A |
| 2001 | GC 6: Caged Beasts | Jeremy Jackson | W | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | N/A |
| 2001 | GC 3: Showdown at Soboba | Tracy Hess | W | Decision (unanimous) | 2 | N/A |
| 2001 | GC 2: Collision at Colusa | Randy Velarde | W | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2 | N/A |
| 2000 | IFC: Warriors Challenge 9 | Phillip Miller | L | Decision (unanimous) | 2 | Middleweight |
| 2000 | Best of the Best | Shannon Ritch | W | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | 1 | Middleweight |
| 2000 | IFC: Warriors Challenge 6 | Marty Armendarez | L | TKO (punches) | 1 | Middleweight |
10. Jake Shields’s Top Fights (Video Links)
Jake Shields vs AJ Agazarm
Jake Shields vs Jon Fitch
Jake Shields vs Tyron Woodley
Jake Shields vs Jake Ellenberger
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