Jake Shields — one month out from his EliteXC welterweight title fight against Drew Fickett — earned his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu from Cesar Gracie on Tuesday, according to GracieFighter.com.
It’s no small feat to earn a jiu jitsu black belt from anyone let alone Cesar Gracie. In fact, for some fighters it could take more than 10 years to earn the prestigious top level status.
Here’s a snip from Shields on his training background:
“I started submission grappling with Chuck Liddell and Scott Adams in 1999 and spent about two years with them. Then 6.5 yrs of BJJ under Cesar Gracie. Prior to that I’d been wrestling for about 10 years, so I’ve been involved in grappling for close to 20 years. Being a wrestler, I watched the old UFCs and saw Royce Gracie. He’d be tapping out everybody including all the wrestlers. So I’d have to credit Royce Gracie. As soon as I saw that, I wanted to do it. I saw that Chuck’s gym [SLO Kickboxing] taught submissions so I started learning it. It wasn’t pure BJJ over there, but it was good. Then I moved to San Francisco and saw Cesar’s guys, like Dave Terrell, tearing up the competition at tournaments, and Cesar’s system is pure BJJ so I went there.”
Shields joins an elite group and is one of only three black belts under Cesar Gracie. He also trains black belts Nick Diaz — who just earned his belt last year — and David Terrell. Gracie also trains brown belts, Nate Diaz and Gil Castillo, as well as purple belt, Gilbert Melendez.
That’s a pretty sick stable of fighters for Gracie, who earned his own black belt from Carlos Gracie Jr. Carlos Jr. was the son of Carlos Gracie, who along with Helio Gracie, were the co-founders of the legendary Gracie jiu-jitsu.
For his part, Shields has always displayed solid jiu-jitsu skills — he’s won three of his last four fights by submission and seven total in his career.
He also tapped out top UFC contender, Jon Fitch, at the Gracie open grappling tournament in 2005. Sure, it’s a grappling tournament, but forcing Fitch to tap out is something to be proud of — nobody else has been able to do that since Fitch’s first career MMA fight back in 2002.
It’s just another accomplishment for the already highly decorated 29-year-old. And if nothing else, earning this black belt should provide Shields with some extra confidence heading into the showdown with Fickett on March 29.
Even though it’s doubtful he needs more of it.
15 Comments »
geez, didn’t realize being a Gracie blackbelt was so exclusive….are all Gracies that cautious to give them out or just Cesar?
the guy deserves it… 20 years of grappling, tapping out Fitch, 9 fight win streak, etc. I hope he signs with ufc
[quote comment=”330798″]the guy deserves it… 20 years of grappling, tapping out Fitch, 9 fight win streak, etc. I hope he signs with ufc[/quote]
This guy is a hell of a fighter. I really hope he lands in the UFC sooner then later. anyone know about his current contract status?
[quote comment=”330830″][quote comment=”330798″]the guy deserves it… 20 years of grappling, tapping out Fitch, 9 fight win streak, etc. I hope he signs with ufc[/quote]
This guy is a hell of a fighter. I really hope he lands in the UFC sooner then later. anyone know about his current contract status?[/quote]
he is awaiting his last fight with drew fickett and will shop the market for a new orginazation!
[quote comment=”330830″][quote comment=”330798″]the guy deserves it… 20 years of grappling, tapping out Fitch, 9 fight win streak, etc. I hope he signs with ufc[/quote]
This guy is a hell of a fighter. I really hope he lands in the UFC sooner then later. anyone know about his current contract status?[/quote]
he just recently signed when he fought pyle with elitexc probably for a couple years (not sure exact details though).
Here goes a video of the ceremony.
http://www.sherdog.com/videos/videos.asp?v_id=1460
I think Cesar Gracie teaches the best MMA BJJ. They do mostly no-gi stuff. The NY schools of Royce Gracie and Matt Serra are close behind.
[quote comment=”330830″][quote comment=”330798″]the guy deserves it… 20 years of grappling, tapping out Fitch, 9 fight win streak, etc. I hope he signs with ufc[/quote]
This guy is a hell of a fighter. I really hope he lands in the UFC sooner then later. anyone know about his current contract status?[/quote]
im impressed as well. i think he just signed a pretty good extension w/ elite xc. he talked about signing w/ the ufc but i guess they were to loaded at 170
This guys a legit threat to anyone at 170lbs. B.W.’s correct, he just resigned an exclusive deal with EliteXC.
Off topic, but I just read the ProElite (the parent to EliteXC) is about to sign a deal to show MMA events on CBS every other month!
This is great for MMA. Boxing exploded after ABC showed life fights on their Wild World of Sports program.
Dana - you’re still winning the war, but you’re losing battles at an alarming rate!
Jake is ready for the UFC right now.
I don’t think that he should have re-signed with EliteXC. Their WW division is pretty weak, especially with the “retirement” of Paul Daley. If Nick Diaz never left the UFC, and eventually signed with EliteXC, I wonder if Jake would have made a different decision (meaning, he would have possibly signed with the UFC if Diaz was still there).
[quote comment=”330985″]Off topic, but I just read the ProElite (the parent to EliteXC) is about to sign a deal to show MMA events on CBS every other month!
This is great for MMA. Boxing exploded after ABC showed life fights on their Wild World of Sports program.
Dana - you’re still winning the war, but you’re losing battles at an alarming rate![/quote]
This wont be that great for mma if they keep featuring freak show fights. Dana is loosing a lot of battles lately. I wonder why he couldnt get on CBS and EliteXC did? I wouldnt be surprised if Dana insulted them too. “Well there not even a top 5 network” lol -Dana White!
Tank abbot vs. Kimbo was not ogod for mma IMO
[quote comment=”331057″]Jake is ready for the UFC right now.
I don’t think that he should have re-signed with EliteXC. Their WW division is pretty weak, especially with the “retirement” of Paul Daley. If Nick Diaz never left the UFC, and eventually signed with EliteXC, I wonder if Jake would have made a different decision (meaning, he would have possibly signed with the UFC if Diaz was still there).[/quote]
Seriously, we need Jake in the UFC, that guy is good!!! Possibly GSP good!!
#4 WW in the world in my book..
1-GSP
2-Hughes
3-Serra
4-Shields
5-Parysian
6-Fitch
[quote comment=”330985″]Off topic, but I just read the ProElite (the parent to EliteXC) is about to sign a deal to show MMA events on CBS every other month!
This is great for MMA. Boxing exploded after ABC showed life fights on their Wild World of Sports program.
Dana - you’re still winning the war, but you’re losing battles at an alarming rate![/quote]
yeah and Mark Cuban is in talks with Vince McMahon to collaborate on a deal as well which MAY involve Floyd Mayweather.
UFC: 85 may air on SPIKE TV June 7th!