Shields: I deserve title shot and prefer to fight GSP over kind of friend Koscheck
Mike Chiappetta: How would you rate your performance vs Kampmann overall ? Jake Shields: I just felt right from the beginning, after…
Mike Chiappetta: How would you rate your performance vs Kampmann overall ?
Jake Shields: I just felt right from the beginning, after two minutes I felt really tired. I was in great shape for the fight but for some reason, my body was not working too well out there. It’s unfortunate but I was able to tough it out and kept fighting regardless. I did some things right of course, but overall I felt I wasn’t as fast, as sharp, as explosive as I should’ve been out there.
MC: There are some people who don’t believe a split-decision win warrants a title shot. What’s your response to that?
JS: I think you’ve got to look back and look at my career. Look at the 15-fight win streak I’ve had over some really good opponents. If you fight long enough, you’ll have some really good performances and some not-so-great performances. If you’re able to win in your not-so-great performances and keep the streak going, it shows where you’re at, so I feel I definitely deserve it.
MC: You could face one of two guys. Are you already starting to think about fighting GSP or Koscheck?
JS: I’m looking at them both. I’ll approach them slightly different but they’re not that different of an opponent. They’re both wrestling-based, they both can stand and both have good jiu-jitsu so they’re not that different. I just think Koscheck likes to stand and bang a little more while GSP likes to take it to the ground a little more … Even though I’m kind of friends with Koscheck, I have a preference for GSP, just because he’s a bigger name, the more hype and the guy I’ve wanted to fight forever. So I’ll be torn watching the fight, being friendly with Koscheck but wanting to fight GSP. From a business standpoint, I’d rather it be GSP.
MC: You were asked in the press conference last week about bringing some of your Cesar Gracie teammates with you into the UFC and you said you hoped they’d be here soon. Do you believe the UFC would be a better situation for Nick Diaz & Gilbert Melendez?
JS: Yes, of course. Strikeforce is a good organization. But ultimately, I feel they don’t push the right people. I don’t feel like Nick & Gilbert have gotten the attention they deserve. They pick guys like Cung Le to push. And they push Gina Carano and Frank Shamrock. But they have Nick and Gil, who are both top five fighters in the world. UFC would be the best spot for both of them.