Shields was raised near Mountain Ranch, California, in the Sierra Nevada. He was home schooled up to junior high. He and his two older brothers grew up at the end of a dirt road on the rim of the Jesus Maria Canyon. Their nearest friends were a 45-minute hike down one side of the canyon and up the other. Their activities included mountain biking, wild caving, snowboarding, clearing brush, bucking firewood, climbing mountains, exploring the high country, and wrestling.[citation needed]
Shields began amateur wrestling at age nine. He has competed in over 601 folkstyle, freestyle, and submission wrestling matches. Shields was a four-year varsity wrestler and state qualifier at Calaveras High School, finished 2nd place at the Amateur Athletic Union National Freestyle Championships, qualified for U.S. / FILA Nationals & World Team Trials in both the junior & university men's divisions. He is also a two-time junior college All-American wrestler from Cuesta College, placing 4th in the California JC state tournament in the 177-pound (80kg) weight class in 1997 and 3rd in the 197-pound (89kg) weight class a year later. In September 1999, Shields began his MMA training by joining Chuck Liddell's SLO Kickboxing Academy. Within a few weeks he fought his first fight, filling in for an injured teammate at 185 pounds (84kg). Shields fought five fights at 185lbs "for fun, to stay in shape and learn some self defense". In 2001, Shields decided he wanted to make a career of mixed martial arts and began fighting at his natural weight of 170 pounds (77kg).[citation needed]
In the summer of 2001, Shields received a wrestling scholarship to San Francisco State University. At that time he began training with the Cesar Gracie Fight Team. He is a three-time Grapplers Quest Advance Champion, Pan American Championships Jiu Jitsu Champion, Pan Am Open Advance Submission Champion, Gracie Open Superfight Champion and finished 3rd place at the ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship in 2005. His victory at the Pan American Championships (which requires wearing a uniform) as a purple belt is notable because Jake Shields claims he has trained "about four hours with the gi in [his] life,"[4] and the Pan Americans is one of the largest Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions in the world. He continued to improve on the kickboxing skills he picked up with Chuck Liddell, by cross-training with the professional Muay Thai kickboxing team at the Fairtex Combat Academy, training with Muay Thai Champions Jongsanan Fairtex and Alex Gong. He was awarded the rank of black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu by Cesar Gracie in February 2007.
Shields was the head instructor of BJJ (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) and MMA at the Fairtex-Gracie affiliate in San Francisco from March 2002 until April 2008.
Shields has developed a style of fighting called "American Jiu-Jitsu," which he has tattooed on his forearm.[4] Shields's American Jiu-Jitsu is a no-gi style of grappling for MMA and self-defense is a complete combat art that combines the relaxed and ready position and submission techniques of Brazilian jiu-jitsu with the explosive takedowns, throws and transitions of wrestling.
Mixed martial arts
Shields is best known for his 15-fight winning streak, finishing eight of his eleven opponents before being defeated by UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre in a hard-fought five round battle at UFC 129. Shields has captured the Shooto World Mixed Martial Arts Championship and the Rumble on the Rock World Championship. He submitted Nick Thompson via guillotine choke in a bout for the Elite XC Welterweight Championship.
At Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields he fought EliteXC's last middleweight champion and former two-time ICON Sport middleweight champion at a catchweight of 182 pounds (83kg). Lawler took the center of the cage and looked comfortable on his feet. Robbie Lawler said in the post fight interview, "His striking was good. He threw a lot of kicks. He worked. He threw hands and wasn't shying away from standup, that's for sure." Two minutes into the first round, Shields pounced and secured a guillotine choke to finish his opponent via submission at 2:02 of the first round.[5]
Shields successfully defended his title, defeating former Pride World Welterweight and Pride Middleweight Champion Dan Henderson via unanimous decision on April 17, 2010, at Strikeforce: Nashville.[6]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Shields was spotted and shown on camera next to UFC President Dana White at the WEC 48 PPV. With Dana White saying, "He's mine!" and his arm around Shields, this fueled rumors of Shields signing with the UFC. Jake Shields stated in an interview that it was tough for Strikeforce to provide him with exciting fights and this would be a key aspect in his decision to stay or leave. Dana White also stated in this interview he would be willing to pay huge sums to strip away one of Strikeforce's champions.[7] This has further fueled speculation that Shields would leave Strikeforce for the UFC.
On June 30, Strikeforce released Shields from the organization during his contract renegotiation period. Shields then entered into talks with the UFC,[8] with his manager and father, Jack Shields, stating that his son was eager to fight against top UFC fighters, such as Anderson Silva.[9] In July 2010, it was reported that Shields was close to signing a deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship to compete in the promotion's Welterweight division.[10]
Shields made his UFC debut against Martin Kampmann on October 23, 2010, at UFC 121.[11] Prior to Shields's UFC debut, Dana White stated that, if Shields defeated Martin Kampmann, he was most likely next in line for an opportunity to compete for the UFC Welterweight Championship.[12] After Shields defeated Kampmann via split decision, White confirmed that Shields would receive a title shot against the winner of the Georges St-Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck fight at UFC 124.[13]
Georges St-Pierre won his UFC 124 bout against Josh Koscheck. Shields fought St-Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Championship on April 30, 2011, at UFC 129 in Toronto. Shields lost via unanimous decision.[14] This was Shields's first loss in over 6 years.
Shields faced Jake Ellenberger on September 17, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 25, losing via first-round TKO.[15] This was the first time Shields has been finished in over ten years.
Shields returned to the middleweight division and faced Ed Herman on August 11, 2012, at UFC 150.[17] He won the bout via unanimous decision. However, on October 12, 2012, it was announced that Jake Shields had failed his drug test at UFC 150 and he was subsequently fined and suspended.[18] The result of the fight was overturned to a No Contest.[19] In January 2015 Shields said the failed test was due to a banned diuretic.[20]
Shields faced Tyron Woodley in a welterweight bout on June 15, 2013, at UFC 161.[21] The bout was contested on the feet for nearly its entirety in a largely uneventful fight where neither fighter was able to deliver any significant offense. Shields defeated Woodley via split decision.[22]
Shields next faced Demian Maia on October 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 29.[23] As expected, the contest between the two decorated jiu jitsu practitioners took place mostly on the ground, and Shields won via split decision.[24]
Shields fought Héctor Lombard on March 15, 2014, at UFC 171. Shields lost the fight via unanimous decision.
On April 6, 2014, it was announced that Shields was released from the promotion.[25]
After his release from the UFC, the outspoken and often candid president of the organization, Dana White, had this to say about Shields:
"We look at everything. Everything. Money has something to do with it. I'd be lying if I said it didn't. But that wasn't the only reason or the main reason. It was a part of the piece of the puzzle as we were doing our evaluation of him. Mixed martial arts is a young man's game. I like Jake Shields a lot. But let's be honest here: Where was he going in this [welterweight] division of animals we have? He's on the downswing, and he's never going to be the guy. His stand-up never improved. He hasn't really shown anything in his last couple of fights to make you go, 'Holy [expletive].' Right now, at this point, he's just another guy."[26]
World Series of Fighting
In April 2014, Shields signed a multi-fight deal with the World Series of Fighting.[27] Shields was expected to compete at WSOF 11 on July 5, 2014, against Jon Fitch. However, Shields was forced out of the bout due to a shoulder injury.[28]
Shields made his debut for World Series of Fighting at WSOF 14 on October 11, 2014, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada against WSOF Canadian Welterweight Champion Ryan Ford.[29] He won the fight via submission in the first round.
In his second fight for the promotion, Shields faced Brian Foster in the main event at WSOF 17 on January 17, 2015. He again won the fight via submission in the first round.
Shields faced Rousimar Palhares on August 1, 2015, at WSOF 22.[30] He lost the fight by submission due to a kimura, marking his first loss by submission. This wasn't without controversy as Palhares repeatedly eye gouged Shields after several warnings from the ref, Palhares also held onto the submission well after Shields had tapped.[31] In response, Shields punched Palhares in the face after the fight was over, and attempted a kick which the referee blocked. Both Shields and Palhares were temporarily suspended by the NSAC after the fight.
Shields was lined up to face Jon Fitch for the vacant WSOF welterweight championship at WSOF 30 on April 1, 2016. Though they have never competed together in an MMA contest, Shields holds a victory over Fitch in a submission grappling match. However, the match was later canceled due to contract issues between Shields and the company.
On September 13, 2016, it was announced that Shields would challenge for the WSOF Welterweight Championship against Jon Fitch on November 12, 2016, at WSOF 34.[32] On October 17, 2016, it was announced that the fight was then rescheduled to take place on December 31, 2016, in the co-main event.[33] Shields lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Professional Fighters League
Shields made his PFL debut at PFL Everett on July 29, 2017, against Danny Davis Jr. He won the bout via unanimous decision.[34]
On July 5, 2018, Shields made his PFL season debut at PFL 3. Despite being a heavy favorite, he lost to Ray Cooper III via technical knockout in the second round.[35]
On August 16, 2018, Shields defeated Herman Terrado at PFL 6 via unanimous decision advancing to the playoffs.[36]
On October 20, 2018, Shields faced Ray Cooper III in a rematch at PFL 10.[37] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round to advance to the semifinals of the playoffs.[38]
Grappling events
On November 22, 2014, Shields fought Roberto Satoshi in a grappling match in Metamoris V. The fight ended in a draw.
On April 2, 2016, Shields then fought AJ Agazarm at Polaris 3. The match was controversial as it was plagued with eye gouges and strikes coming from both fighters.[39] At one point in the match Shields slapped Agazarm while both men were standing.[39] The fight ended in a draw.[40]
Shields defeated Diego Sanchez in a grappling match at High Rollerz 4 on February 5, 2020.[41]
Personal life
Shields has a daughter, born December 2000, and is a single father.[42]
On August 29, 2011, Shields's father and manager, Jack Shields, died at age 67.[43]
Shields is a lifelong vegetarian. He appeared in both print and video ads for PETA, touting his vegetarian lifestyle.[44] Shields is critical of vaccines.[45]
On September 21, 2023, he failed to appear at an arraignment in a Nevada court. He was charged with misdemeanor battery related to an altercation between himself and Mike Jackson, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.[46]
Social media use
Shields describes himself as a right-wing extremist in his X profile.[47] On December 28, 2022, following an online altercation between climate activist Greta Thunberg and influencer Andrew Tate, Shields suggested that Tate should give Thunberg a 'proper smashing' so that she abandons her 'crazy feminest/climatenonese'[sic].[48][bettersourceneeded] Shields' comments were widely criticised as being derogatory and misogynistic.[49]
Jake Shields
@jakeshieldsajj
Would you support public executions of anyone who helps a child transition?
This would include doctors, therapists, teachers, guidance counselors, etc
On April 25, 2023, Shields had addressed support via a tweet, which was later deleted for violating Twitter's terms of service, for the public executions of people who help a childtransition their gender, and recommended that doctors, therapists, teachers, and guidance counselors be publicly executed for their assistance in helping the gender transitions of children.[51][52] The post was widely condemned by transgender activists and personalities on Twitter, with Alejandra Caraballo stating to Ella Irwin, the head of trust and safety on Twitter, that it was an incitement to violence. For the tweet, he was given a seven-day suspension from the platform and commented that he was suspended for "simply asking a question". Shields had also stated in February that teachers that tell a child that they can transition their gender should be "arrested, tried and then executed" so that the "trans kid issue would disappear".[53]
Jake Shields stars in and co-produced Fight Life, an award-winning documentary on the sport of MMA, the film is directed by James Z. Feng and released in 2013.[57] Shields appeared in three episodes of Bully Beatdown on MTV and MTV2 on April 12, 2009,[58] a different episode on September 10,[59] and again in an MTV.com-exclusive episode.[citation needed] Shields also served as a grappling coach for Chuck Liddell on The Ultimate Fighter 11,[60] and appeared on the Animal Planet channel for episodes of Wild Recon and Venom in Vegas.[61]
Middleweight bout. Unanimous decision win for Shields; overturned after he failed his drug test. Shields claims it was a diuretic (for unknown reasons, the Colorado Athletic Commission wouldn't disclose what he tested positive for).
Buffery, Steve (January 3, 2011). "GSP to headline UFC's Toronto debut". slam.canoe.ca. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2011.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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