The main event of the evening is Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields defending against MMA legend Dan Henderson. Henderson is making his Strikforce debut against Shields who is really a welterweight fighting at middleweight. There have been rumors that Jake Shields may make the jump to the UFC win or lose following this fight.
Frank Shamrock makes a bold prediction that Dan Henderson would destroy Jake Shields, aren't commentators supposed to be unbiased? TV time forces them to rush Shields to the cage while Henderson is still being prepped to enter the cage. Shields will want no part of Henderson's right hand and will look to get this fight to the ground. Henderson wants to be aggressive with his striking but not to the point that he gives up easy take downs.
Both men come out and Henderson lands a big right hand and drops Shields. Henderson looks to pounce but Shields moves for leglock. Shamrock takes that opportunity to bash Shields. Henderson is dominating with his striking. Shields goes down again. Henderson is stalking Shields much like he did Mike Bisping. Shields tries for a take down but Hendo sprawls and the two are up against the cage in the clinch. The first round comes to an end. Shields deserves credit for not being finished. Henderson gets this round 10-9.
Shields opens the second round with a jab. He looks for a take down but Henderson is in control. Henderson looks to take the back of Shields but ends up in Jake's guard. Shields slices through Henderson's guard and Hendo is mounted. This fight has turned around quickly. Shields doing a good job of maintaining his base. There is a lot of time left. Shields looks for an arm triangle. Shields is working the ground and pound. The second comes to an end and Shields has turned this fight around. Shields gets this one 10-9.
Gus Johnson opens the round offering that Henderson had to cut 10-15 pounds to make weight as if this was Henderson's first fight at 185. Shields looks very comfortable. Henderson does a great job fighting off a take down. Henderson finds himself on his back again. Shields slices through Hendo's guard. Shields looks to move the knee to the midsection of Hendo in order to move to mount. Shields has the mount and is working his ground and pound. Shields closes the round out by moving for an armbar. The round ends and Shields gets the third round 10-9.
Henderson comes out firing the right. Shields works for the take down and Henderson scrambles up as Frank Shamrock cheers him on. Shields works the pass against the cage and has side control. Again Shields has the mount. Shields isolates the left arm and tries to work a submission but is unable to get it. Shields is stifling Henderson on the ground. The arena is in shock. Shields wins the fourth round 10-9 and it is hard seeing the fifth going any other way.
The fifth round starts and Henderson looks tired. Shields with a textbook double leg take down and moves right to side control followed by an easy mount. Shields rides Henderson and Henderson has no answers. This fight is over. Shields is about to cash a big check. Shields retains the title.
Shields controlled this fight following the first round.
Wow, unfortunately a fight broke out following the fight between what seemed to be Jason Miller and the entire Jake Shields camp. CBS was fast to move away from the fight. It is unclear what exactly happened because they cut away from it.
Gus Johnson drops the bomb that sometimes things like that just happen in MMA.