By FCF Staff

Jack Shields, the father and manager of UFC welterweight contender Jake Shields, has passed away according to a report from Graciefighter.com. The site, which is run by Jake Shield’s long time coach Cesar Gracie, reports that the 67 year-old Shields died “peacefully as he slept”.

The statement at Graciefighter  furthered that “Jack Shields was instrumental in his son’s MMA career. He taught Jake the values of hard work and perseverance. He was always there and was a fervent supporter through Jake’s early years in wrestling and when Jake transcended to MMA.”

The former Strikeforce middleweight champ was then quoted saying:

“lost my father manager and one of my best friends today!! R.I.P jack you will be greatly missed and loved by many”

Jake Shields is scheduled to fight Jake Ellenberger at the upcoming, September 17^th, UFC Fight Night card in New Orleans. There has been no official announcement from Shield’s camp or the UFC as to whether the bout will go ahead as planned.

All of us here at Full Contact Fighter would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Jack Shields.