Jake Shields is an American mixed martial artist born on January 9, 1979, in Summertown, Tennessee.
Shields’ fighting style, which he dubs “American Jiu-Jitsu”, is a mix of wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu optimized for MMA.
In this article, you will know Jake Shields’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Jake Shields’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jake Shields |
| Birthdate | January 9, 1979 |
| Birthplace | Mountain Ranch, California, United States |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Fighting Style | “American Jiu-Jitsu” (mix of wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu) |
| Team/Association | Cesar Gracie Fight Team, Skrap Pack |
| Notable Accomplishments | – Last Rumble on the Rock Welterweight Champion – Only Elite XC Welterweight Champion – Former Shooto Welterweight Champion – Former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion – Challenged Georges St-Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Championship |
He grew up in the remote Sierra Nevada Mountains of California where he was homeschooled by his hippie parents.
Shields began wrestling at age 9, following in the footsteps of his older brothers.
Early Career
Growing up, Shields took up outdoor activities like caving, mountain biking, and snowboarding with his brothers. At age 9, he started wrestling, following in his brothers’ footsteps.
Shields turned pro in 1999 and fought his first handful of fights at 185 lbs before dropping to his natural weight of 170 lbs in 2001 to pursue MMA full-time.
Won the Shooto Welterweight Championship in 2004. Won the Rumble on the Rock Welterweight Tournament in 2006, defeating Carlos Condit and Yushin Okami.
Professional Career
Shields made his UFC debut in October 2010, defeating Martin Kampmann by split decision.
In his next fight, he challenged Georges St-Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Championship but lost by unanimous decision.
Shields went 4-3 (1 NC) overall in the UFC, notably defeating Demian Maia, Tyron Woodley and Hector Lombard. His last fight was a win over Lombard in March 2014.
Jake Shields’s Net Worth Details
Jake Shields’s net worth is estimated to be $620,000 as of 2025.
Contract
In July 2010, it was reported that Shields was close to signing a deal with the UFC to compete in their welterweight division.
Shields made his UFC debut in October 2010 and went 4-3 with 1 no contest during his UFC tenure.
His last fight in the UFC was a loss to Hector Lombard in March 2014, after which he was released from the promotion.
In April 2014, after his UFC release, Shields signed with the World Series of Fighting (WSOF).
According to WSOF matchmaker Ali Abdelaziz, Shields signed a 4-fight contract with the promotion.
Career Earnings
| Promotion/Event | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|
| Early Career (1999-2005) | $200 per fight (starting pay) |
| Elite XC (2007-2008) | First “decent paycheck” with the promotion |
| Strikeforce (2009-2010) | – |
| UFC (2010-2014) | $75,000 (UFC 171 salary) $150,000 (UFC Fight Night: Maia vs Shields salary) $150,000 (UFC 161 salary) $150,000 (UFC 144 salary) $75,000 (UFC Fight Night: Shields vs Ellenberger salary) $75,000 (UFC 129 salary) $150,000 (UFC 121 salary) |
| World Series of Fighting (2014) | – |
| Professional Fighters League (2018) | – |
| Total Estimated Earnings | $2-3 million (approx.) |
Sponsorship
In 2010, Shields was involved in a controversy related to his sponsor Rockstar Energy Drink at a Strikeforce event.
He wore a Rockstar beanie during his entrance and post-fight interview, which was against the organization’s exclusive deal with Full Throttle energy drink.
Career Records
| Statistic/Achievement | Record |
|---|---|
| Professional MMA Record | 33 wins, 11 losses, 1 draw, 1 no contest |
| Significant Wins | – Dan Henderson – Robbie Lawler – Demian Maia – Tyron Woodley – Carlos Condit – Yushin Okami – Paul Daley |
| Notable Losses | – Georges St-Pierre – Jake Ellenberger – Rousimar Palhares – Hector Lombard |
| Championships Held | – Strikeforce Middleweight Champion – EliteXC Welterweight Champion – Shooto Welterweight Champion – Rumble on the Rock Welterweight Tournament Winner |
| Submission Grappling Achievements | – ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships 3rd Place (2005) – IBJJF Pan American Championships Gold Medalist (2005 purple belt) |
FAQs
1. Who is Jake Shields?
Jake Shields is an American mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt known for his unique “American Jiu-Jitsu” style, which combines BJJ and wrestling. He has competed in top MMA promotions like the UFC, Strikeforce, and Elite XC, winning multiple championships throughout his career.
2. What are Jake Shields’ major achievements in MMA?
Jake Shields is a former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion, Elite XC Welterweight Champion, Shooto Welterweight Champion, and Rumble on the Rock Welterweight Tournament Winner. He also challenged Georges St-Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Championship.
3. What is Jake Shields’ fighting style?
Jake Shields developed “American Jiu-Jitsu,” blending Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with wrestling techniques. His fighting style emphasizes grappling, submissions, and positional control, making him a dominant force in both MMA and grappling competitions.
4. How successful was Jake Shields in grappling competitions?
Jake Shields excelled in grappling, earning a gold medal at the 2005 IBJJF Pan American Championship (purple belt) and a bronze medal at the 2005 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship. His notable victories include defeating Leonardo Santos for third place at ADCC.
5. What is Jake Shields’ MMA record?
Jake Shields has a professional MMA record of 33 wins, 11 losses, 1 draw, and 1 no contest. His victories include 3 by knockout, 12 by submission, and 18 by decision.
6. What is Jake Shields’ background in martial arts?
Jake Shields began his martial arts journey with wrestling in middle school and later trained in kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Cesar Gracie. He transitioned to MMA in 1999 while attending San Francisco State University on a wrestling scholarship.
7. What personal challenges has Jake Shields faced?
Shields balanced his early MMA career while raising his daughter as a single father. Financial struggles early on required him to fight frequently to support his family. Additionally, he faced controversies over his outspoken political views on social media.
8. What is Jake Shields’ connection to the Diaz brothers?
Jake Shields trained alongside Nick and Nate Diaz at Cesar Gracie’s gym. The trio formed a close bond as teammates and training partners, often supporting each other during their respective MMA careers.
9. Has Jake Shields appeared outside of fighting?
Yes, Jake Shields co-produced the documentary Fight Life about MMA and appeared on shows like Bully Beatdown and The Ultimate Fighter. He has also been involved in campaigns promoting vegetarianism through PETA.
10. What is Jake Shields’ current focus?
Although retired from active MMA competition, Jake Shields remains involved in martial arts as a coach and podcaster. He continues to promote his “American Jiu-Jitsu” philosophy while engaging in controversial political commentary online.
