Strikeforce released middleweight champion Jake Shields from his contract on Wednesday afternoon, freeing him to sign immediately with the UFC.
Sherdog.com issued the report on Wednesday night, citing sources close to the organization.
Shields completed his Strikeforce contract with a defeat of Dan Henderson in April. Shortly after the win, Shields appeared on the “Aldo vs. Faber” pay per view with UFC president Dana White, and all signs have pointed towards Shields signing with the UFC this summer. The middleweight was in the midst of a period where Strikeforce could match offers from other organizations, but the San Jose-based promotion opted to waive the contract and release Shields outright.
Strikeforce purchased the fighter’s contract from the defunct Pro Elite organization. The contract did not include a standard “champion’s clause” which would tie Shields to the promotion as long as he held the middleweight championship.
Shields father told Sherdog that he had submitted the fighter’s asking price to the UFC and was awaiting a bid from the organization to pass on to Strikeforce for review. Sources close to the UFC told HeavyMMA.com on Wednesday evening that an eventual agreement with Shields was a virtual lock.
The fighter’s father also said that Shields wishes to debut against middleweight champion Anderson Silva, largely due to welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre being tied up with The Ultimate Fighter’s 12th season and an eventual bout with rival coach Josh Koscheck. Silva will face top contender Chael Sonnen in August.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has indicated in recent weeks that the promotion will hold an eight-man tournament to crown a new middleweight champion. The first round of the tourney is expected to kick off at the Aug. 21 Strikeforce show at the Toyota Center in Houston. As Heavy.com first reported, tickets for the event are expected to go on sale July 10.
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