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Jake Shields Signs With UFC, Awaiting First UFC Opponent

Posted by Vegas Martin in UFC News on Monday, July 19th, 2010

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Jake Shields has officially signed with the UFC and will return to the welterweight division to make his UFC debut against Cesar Gracie.

After spending time with Elite XC, Shields was picked up by Strikeforce in 2009. Shields won the vacant 185-pound title with a unanimous decision over Jason “Mayhem” Miller in November, then defeated UFC veteran Dan Henderson in April for his 14th-straight win.

Despiting being a champion with Strikeforce, Shields became a free agent following his win over Henderson and the UFC immediately emerged as the front-runner to sign him.

Strikeforce officially released Shields earlier this month. A new champion will be crowned when Tim Kennedy and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza face each other on August 21 at “Strikeforce: Houston“.

Shields potential opponents include Martin Kampmann, who defeated Paulo Thiago in June, or the winner of a UFC 117 fight between Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves.