Thread: Shields v. Fickett for the EliteXC WW Title

Good fight here. Jake should win but you can never count Fickett out.

EliteXC will crown its first-ever welterweight champion when highly ranked Jake Shields (20-4-1) takes on UFC veteran Drew Fickett (31-5) at a March 29 event co-promoted by EliteXC and Strikeforce.

Although the fight hasn’t officially been announced, Shields posted the news in a recent MySpace bulletin.

“Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Cung Le” takes place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. The show, which features a main event of Strikeforce middleweight champ Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le, airs live on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET (and via tape delay at 10 p.m. PT on the West Coast).

Shields, who’s currently riding a nine-fight win streak, is generally considered one of the world’s top 10 170-lb. fighters. The 29-year-old, who trains with Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and the Tulsa Top Team, is 2-0 in his EliteXC career with first-round victories over Renato Verissimo and Mike Pyle. He also owns victories over the likes of Dave Menne, Carlos Condit, Yushin Okami and Jeremy Jackson.

Back in November, Shields signed a long-term deal with EliteXC, and EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw says he’s willing to put his fighter up against any welterweight in the world.

It’ll first be Fickett, who’s fought professionally since 1999. He’ a Rage in the Cage veteran who’s posted UFC victories over notables such as Josh Koscheck and Josh Neer. In his most recent UFC fight, he defeated Keita Nakamura at UFC Fight Night 9 in April.

Since then, Fickett has posted submission victories in HDNet Fights (over Anthony Lapsley) and Cage Rage (over Mark Weir).

The winner of the Shields-Fickett fight will be just the third title-holder in EliteXC. The organization, which debuted in February 2007, currently has lightweight champ K.J. Noons and middleweight champ Robbie Lawler.

As MMAjunkie.com (UFC News & Rumors - MMA News - UFC Fighters - UFC Event Recaps and Previews - MMAjunkie.com) was the first to report, a fight between Joe Riggs and Joey Villasenor will also take place at the March 29 event.

Jake Shields Announces EliteXC Title Fight with Drew Fickett -- MMAjunkie.com

Originally Posted by Cacti45

Josh Gross just confirmed it, and so did mmaweekly, so its not a rumor anymore.

Good...thanks for the update, Cacti. I figured with EliteXC lately, it's best to list as a rumor.

Mods - feel free to remove the (Rumor) part.