By FCF Staff

Jake Shields recorded an important win at World Series of Fighting 14 on Saturday, but the victory has been overshadowed by Ryan Ford’s claim afterwards, that he fought the UFC vet with a broken arm.

Shields submitted Ford with an opening round, rear-naked-choke in the card’s main event, but Ford’s camp released a video following the loss, which detailed his injury and his decision to fight. Ford says he had no choice but to fight, due to financial reasons.

Well, in a follow up report from Sherdog.com, WSOF President Ray Sefo has released the following statement regarding the situation:

“Neither I nor any of my staff at World Series of Fighting had any prior knowledge of Ryan Ford’s condition until he went on the record about it after last night’s fight. Like all of the other fighters who competed last night, Ryan went through all of the steps necessary to receive clearance by the athletic commission to fight. Had we been aware that Ryan was suffering from an arm injury, we would have immediately pulled the plug on his matchup with Jake Shields and secured another suitable opponent for Jake.

As both a fighter and a promoter, I take the health of our fighters very seriously, and I am also sensitive to the needs of fighters to support their families with the income they make from competing. Financial needs can always be addressed and worked out, but health is something that no one can afford to play with, so I sincerely hope that Ryan and the other athletes on our roster learn a lesson from this, and will be 100 percent transparent with us and disclose to us any pre-existing medical conditions in the future.”

Shields is expected to face the winner of the December 13th, welterweight title fight between champion Rousimar Palhares and Jon Fitch.