San Francisco’s Jake Shields To Fight Saturday In Dallas At UFC 171

Oct 9, 2013; Barueri, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Demian Maia (red gloves) fights against Jake Shields (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night 29 at Jose Correa Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Shields, the San Francisco-based fighter, will take on Hector Lombard as one of three welterweight fights on the card at UFC 171 in Dallas on Saturday.

The 170-pound title is up for grabs after it was vacated by long-time champion Georges St-Pierre in December.

Shields is 29-6-1 while Lombard is 33-4-1. Shields has won three of his last four fights, most recently a split decision over Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night 29 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in October.

He also has wins over Yoshihiro Akiyama and Tyron Woodley and a no-contest with Ed Herman since his last loss on Sept. 17, 2011, to Jake Ellenberger.

The 35-year-old former Strikeforce champion fought St-Pierre for the welterweight title in April 2011, but lost a unanimous decision. He was an All-American wrestler at San Francisco State and combines wrestling and Brazilian jiu jitsu in the ring. He is sixth in the UFC’s official rankings at 170 pounds.

The Cuban-born Lombard, nicknamed “Lightning,” is a former Olympian in judo who has lost two of his last four fights. He beat Nate Marquardt at UFC 166 in October after losing to Yushin Okami in March 2013. He is ranked No. 12.

Jonny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler will tangle for the vacant welterweight title in the main event Saturday.