Veteran Jake Shields Makes Impressive Debut By Submitting Ryan Ford At WSOF 14

By Rick LaFitte @RickLaFitte on October 12, 2014

 

Veteran grappler Jake Shields made a strong first impression in his World Series of Fighting debut in Edmonton by recording a first-round submission victory over hometown favourite Ryan Ford. The former Strikeforce middleweight champion and UFC welterweight title challenger earned his first finish since 2009 in the main event of WSOF 14 after surviving an early scare.

Shields was sent to the canvas by a stiff jab from his hard-hitting opponent, but was able to quickly recuperate and would eventually take Ford to the ground. That’s where the veteran submission specialist went to work before finally locking in a fight-ending rear-naked choke at the 4:29 mark.

With the victory, Shields will most likely get the winner of the December title clash at WSOF 16 between Rousimar Palhares and Jon Fitch for his next assignment. Shields had been scheduled to make his WSOF debut against Fitch back in July, but was forced out of that matchup due to a shoulder injury. He was unceremoniously dumped by the sport’s no. 1 promotion after his lopsided loss to Hector Lombard at UFC 171 in March.

President Dana White termed Shields as just another guy in defending the dismissal, even though he had been successful against top-10 contenders Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia prior to the Lombard setback.

While Shields’ Octagon tenure didn’t live up to expectations, it’s clear he was cut adrift more for his grinding style and price tag as he remained a top-15 welterweight at the time of his departure. Shields was hoping to make the most of his fresh start in a new promotion, and did so in cooling off the red-hot Ford. It was his 11th submission victory as he improved to 30-7-1 with one no-contest.

Ford had entered the matchup against Shields on an impressive six-fight win streak, and had earned a reputation for being a dangerous finisher with 20 of his 22 career victories having been produced by knockout or submission. “The Real Deal” hadn’t faced the quality of opposition that Shields has, and as expected he found himself in huge trouble once the battle shifted to the ground. Ford saw his record dip to 22-5 after falling short in the most high-profile test of his career.

Shields proved with his performance against Ford that he still remains one of the best 170-pound competitors in the sport. He will loom as a formidable challenge for any fighter that the WSOF throws at him, and that includes Palhares or Fitch.

Rick LaFitte is an MMA Writer for Rant Sports

 

 

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