Jake Shields

American mixed martial artist Jake Shields currently competes in the Professional Fighters League, having won numerous titles during his professional career.

Shields grew up in rural California, and spent his childhood mountain biking, caving, chopping wood, climbing mountains and wrestling. It was this early experience of the sport of grappling that paved the way for his later career, with the young fighter competing throughout his childhood and winning numerous amateur and local bouts. He received a wrestling scholarship for the San Francisco State University before turning professional in the sport. Some of his accolades include being Rumble on the Rock Welterweight Champion, Elite XC Welterweight Champion, Shooto Welterweight Champion and Strikeforce Middleweight Champion. In 2010 Shields was signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, competing for the UFC Welterweight Championship title soon after. He lost the bout, breaking his undefeated winning streak of 15 matches and marking his first loss in six years. After returning to form and putting in a string of fierce performances over the next few years, Shields was released from the UFC and signed with the World Series of Fighting. In 2016 he competed in the WSOF Welterweight Championship.

As well as his impressive MMA record, Shields has appeared on several television shows. These included Fight Life, a documentary which he starred in and co-produced. He’s also appeared in Bully Beatdown and worked as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 11.