The Interrogation is a regular feature where The MMA Manifesto interrogates some of the world’s best MMA fighters. Next up is Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields who discusses his current status as most coveted free agent in the game.
MMA Manifesto: First and foremost, the question on everyone’s mind – Have you decided which organization you are going to sign with? If not, who are you negotiating with and when do you expect to make your decision?
Jake Shields: Strikeforce has exclusive negotiations for a certain time period and then there is a ‘right to match’ period, when I can start negotiating with other organizations, but Strikeforce can match. Right now I’m just waiting to see what all my options are.
MM: Do you think a fighter has to be in the UFC to fully reach his potential and gain an appropriate level of respect/exposure?
JS: UFC is definitely top, they’ve been building this for a long time and deserve the respect that they have. But Strikeforce is growing. They’re getting some good fighters and with the CBS exposure it’s bringing MMA into a wider audience. We’ve yet to see if Strikeforce can build it’s own stars that haven’t come from UFC or PRIDE. That’s something they need to work on if they are going to stay competitive. They have some good fighters that they’ve brought up and could be made big with some real marketing behind them.
MM: If you did decide to join the UFC, which weight class would you fight at and which guys in that organization do you have your eyes on as potential opponents?
JS: I could fight 185 or 170. And I’d love to fight Silva or GSP. But of course, I’d fight whoever they wanted.
MM: If you decided to stay with Strikeforce, do you feel like they have enough quality, “big name” fighters for you to go up against?
JS: They have some top fighters at middleweight. There’s some good fights there. And there’s some rematches that could be good.
MM: What are your thoughts on the brawl that happened after your last fight? Any worries that if you stay with Strikeforce you’ll be punished for your part in the brawl?
JS: The brawl was unfortunate, especially being on CBS. Miller had bad timing and emotions were running high. I don’t think it was any one person’s fault. Of course it would have been best if it hadn’t happened.
MM: Before your career ends, which fighter do you want to fight and why?
JS: GSP, he’s one of the best, very well rounded and would be a great test. And Anderson Silva. Both of them are two of the best.
Previous MMA Manifesto interviews: Roy Nelson, Bobby Lashley, Marius Zaromskis, Muhammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal, Alistair Overeem.
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