Jake Shields had plenty to say about 'dirty' Rousimar Palhares on WSOF 22 media call

Jake Shields

Jake Shields is unwaveringly forward with his opinion of WSOF welterweight champion Rousimar Palhares: He respects the fighter, but not the man.

Palhares’ sketchy history is well documented. The grappling ace has found himself in hot water multiple times during his career because of his refusal to release submissions in a timely manner.

“Toquinho” is currently on a three-fight winning streak with two of those victories under the WSOF banner. He defeated Jon Fitch, Steve Carl and Mike Pierce during that stretch – all by heel hook or kneebar – and none of those three fighters have competed in a professional bout since.

Fitch and Pierce sustained significant knee injuries in their respective bouts with Palhares. The victory over Pierce was particularly gruesome because the Brazilian didn’t release the submission when he should have and was ultimately released from the organization for his actions.

Shields (31-7-1) will be the next to face Palhares (17-6) in the WSOF cage. He’ll challenge for the 170-pound title in the main event of WSOF 22 on Aug. 1 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The main card airs on NBCSN following prelims on MMAjunkie.

Shields is a former Strikeforce champion that’s faced some of the best fighters in the world throughout his nearly 16-year career. The 36-year-old is a lifelong grappler that has crossed paths with countless styles and competitors. Shields knows the sport well, and that’s why he said he has no reservations calling Palhares out for what he sees him as: a “dirty” fighter with loads of talent.

“Palhares is a guy I don’t really care for; He’s a dirty guy who likes hurting people then he plays the nice guy after he breaks their legs,” Shields told MMAjunkie on today’s WSOF 22 media call. “He’s a bad person so it makes me want to go out there and punch him. … I might not care for Palhares, but he is extremely good at leg locks.”

Palhares has won nine of his past 12 fights including seven leg-related submission finishes. Shields said the strategy to take out the Brazilian is complex, yet simple at the same time. He must avoid having his legs trapped at all costs, and if he can do that, past performances make him believe Palhares will shut down.

“Alan Belcher did a great job of surviving leg locks (at UFC on FOX 3); he stayed composed and he did some very good things there, I’ve definitely been watching that,” Shields said. “The other thing I learned from that fight is it seemed almost that Palhares gave up after Alan Belcher escaped. You see him at the end of the round, Alan gets out and you see his face just change. He quit in that fight.

“Palhares is an amazing fighter, he bullies people around, but he’s also kind of weak mentally. You can see in that fight how he just quits.”

Shields said he spent part of his training camp in New York working with renowned leg lock specialist Dean Lister. Moreover, he’s continued to focus on improved striking ability. Shields admits he’s extremely confident in the matchup and that’s one of the reasons why he’s so outspoken.

Palhares has a different approach for his second WSOF title defense. He said he doesn’t Shields’ criticism about his fight tactics personally and plans to do all his talking inside the cage.

“It doesn’t really bother me; everyone is very good at jiu-jitsu and I know I have to have very tight positions to submit great fighters,” Palhares responded through an interpreter. “(The criticism) used to bother me, but not any more. …I think Jake Shields is pretty good, but I’m better. He’ll find out.”

The task of submitting Shields is not an easy one. The California-based fighter has never lost by submission in 40 career bouts even when competing against notables such as Demian Maia, Georges St-Pierre, Jason Miller, Carlos Condit, Yushin Okami and more.

Shields said he’s not going to roll the dice and see if Palhares can break that streak. However, he won’t be scared to hit the mat on fight nigh either, he said. If he could simply knock Palhares out, Shields said that would be perhaps the most satisfying outcome.

“I would love to knock Palhares out, and it would be nice to win that way,” Shields said. “You never know until you get in there, but I think I do have better striking. I have better boxing, better kicks and he doesn’t like to get hit. He turns away when he gets hit so I’m going to put my hands on him.”

For more on WSOF 22, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.