MMA Ratings: Jake Shields in the Mainstream

The first time I ever saw a Jake Shields fight, it was his smothering decision win over Mach Sakurai. I knew that Shields had a reputation for being an awesome grappler and a bit of a blanket, but I was stunned at how inert he was able to render as dynamic an offensive force as Sakurai. It was also, I thought, all I'd ever care to see from Shields. An impressive exhibition of skill, to be sure, but not the stuff of highlight reels. I told myself that, for as long as Shields wanted to use his considerable talents to simply hold his opponent down and freeze them in amber, I would give him credit for his ability to negate professional fighters, but I would content myself to simply check his record for another W-Decision rather than observe the proceedings myself.