Jake Shields Accuses WSOF of Playing “Little Games”, After Jon Fitch Bout Falls Through
By FCF Staff
World Series of Fighting and Jake Shields are clearly not on the best of terms, after plans to have him fight Jon Fitch have fallen through.
Recently WSOF President Ray Sefo announced on the promotion’s official site that Shields would not face Fitch as planned, and stated the following:
“…unfortunately Jake Shields has informed us that he does not intend to honor the terms of his existing contract at this time and declined to sign a bout agreement to fight Jon Fitch, so we’ve had to go in a different direction.”
As a result, the promotion has booked Joao Zeferino to fight Fitch for the vacant welterweight title on April 1st.
Shields spoke to MMA Fighting.com in a follow up report, however, and according to the UFC vet the dispute is over the championship clause. Shields accused the promotion of playing “little games”, and that he was willing to face Fitch, provided he could renegotiate his current deal or fight out his contract.
According to the renowned grappler, his contract is set to expire after one more bout, but if he were to win the title it would extend his current deal.
Shields was submitted by Rousimar Palhares last July, but since the latter held on to the fight ending kimura for too long, the welterweight was stripped of the title. Palhares, who has been disciplined in the past for similar actions, also received a two year suspension.