"I have nothing against Jason. I think he's a tough fighter, but I'm gonna go out there and beat the crap of him on the 7th, ya know? Jason likes to talk and I'm gonna go out there and once we're in the cage, you'll see what happens. I've certainly prepared on my end...I feel the best that I have ever felt. I'm going to go out there and try to smash Mayhem. I've been working on my stand-up, wrestling and jui jitsu, every aspect. I'm gonna go out there and make a statement and beat the living crap out of him," stated Strikeforce middleweight Jake Shields as he talked about his upcoming clash with Jason "Mayhem" Miller. Check it out!
BP: Though it was back in June, congratulations on your submission victory over Robbie Lawler.
JS: Thanks!
BP: Fighting in Lawler's hometown, was there any added pressure or was all the talking already done and you were out to make a statement?
JS: There wasn't any pressure fighting him in his hometown; doesn't really matter to me. I've fought a lot of people in their hometowns, ya know? Fighting over in Japan is enemy territory, so it's no big deal. I just wanted to go out there and take care of business. Lawler's a tough fighter. I went out there and ended it in the first round.
BP: You have an impressive resume. Thus far, who has been your toughest opponent?
JS: I've had a bunch of tough fights, so it's hard to say one, but I know Sakurai [Hayato Sakurai] was definitely tough, I think, just because I was expecting it to be an easy fight, but it turned out to be a really tough one. I was kinda looking past him to the finals of the tournament and ended up having a tough fight with him, which kind of threw me off, but I've had other tough fights as well.
BP: Let's fast forward to Novemember 7th. You're facing Jason "Mayhem" Miller for the undisputed middleweight championship. Knowing now that it is for the championship, what does that mean to you?
JS: I think it's great. I think it should be for the title and I think it's awesome to go out there and win a title for that fight and it adds a little extra excitement to the fight.
BP: You've started camp already?
JS: Yeah, yeah. I've been training really hard for about 3 or 4 weeks.
BP: Who did you bring in your camp to train to get ready for this fight?
JS: A lot of the standard people. I've been training with Nick Diaz a lot because I think he has a close body type to Jason and I think they have similar styles, so I've been training with Nick a ton. I got some Jiu Jitsu guys coming in, wrestlers; I think Bo Dunwick is coming out in a week along with others.
BP: Jason's referred to you as "Chicklet Tooth" and has made it clear that he's not afraid to fight you. Is there any...
JS: (Cuttin in) I have nothing against Jason. I think he's a tough fighter, but I'm gonna go out there and beat the crap of him on the 7th, ya know? Jason likes to talk and I'm gonna go out there and once we're in the cage, you'll see what happens. I've certainly prepared on my end.
BP: Wining the middleweight championship opens the door for potential dream fights. It's no secret that you'd like to fight Frank Shamrock. Anyone else on your list?
JS: You know, I'm kind of taking it one fight at a time. When I get through Jason Miller, then we'll see who they bring at me. Seems like they're bringing in some big middleweights so there's lots of possibilities.
BP: On that same night, Brett Rogers is taking on Fedor. Care to make any predictions?
JS: Yeah. Man, that's a great fight. I'm excited for it, but you gotta take Fedor. He's on this crazy win streak; he hasn't lost in nine years or something. I have a feeling that he'll end up finishing Rogers, but Rogers is a big, powerful guy. He's nothing to look past. Look what he did when he shocked everyone by knocking out Arlovski. So it could be an interesting fight. If anyone's calling it an upset, it ain't gonna be. Rogers does have the tools to do it, so I certainly wouldn't count him out.
BP: I like the fact that Strikeforce brings up new talent with the Challenger Series. In your opinion, is that better for the sport as opposed to competeing on a reality TV show?
JS: I think both are good in their own ways. Strikefoece Challenger Series is great. It's a great addition to Strikeforce. It makes it legit. Reality TV is good too, but it's not always the most legit. But people like the reality shows and it helps build stars. I certainly think both ways are good ways.
BP: With all of the signings as of late, could I get your thoughts on the most recent signing, Herschel Walker?
JS: I think it's great that someone like Herschel Walker wants to fight. He's older and someone I don't think that will ever be considered a true contender, but I think he's a good addition to the sport, especially as long as they use him for what he is. He's a celebrity and he wants to fight. Supposedly he's been training really hard. They should give him a couple of donut fights and see what happens from there. I don't think they should bring him in, you know, like crazy, acting like he's always been a fighter, but he could be an interesting addition.
BP: What is Jake Shields gonna bring on November 7th?
JS: I feel the best that I have ever felt. I'm going to go out there and try to smash Mayhem. I've been working on my stand-up, wrestling and jui jitsu, every aspect. I'm gonna go out there and make a statement and beat the living crap out of him.
BP: Best of luck on November 7th! I'm sure this card will live up to the hype. Anything you would like to say in closing.
JS: I'd like to thank all my fans and my sponsors. I want to thank TapouT, Champion Nutrition and Rockstar.