Heading into his upcoming fight with Dan Henderson, Strikeforce Middleweight Champion, Jake Shields, expressed some irritation with the promotional angle CBS has chosen for the event taking place on April 17th in Nashville, Tennessee. Although CBS did a great job of placing advertisements during the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, Shields thinks that the focus was centered a little bit too much on his opponent.

“I haven’t seen that much of it, but I keep hearing it’s pretty much all pushed towards Dan. I think it’s a little unfair, me being the champ and all, but I’m not worried about it too much.”

In the weeks leading up to the event, it was revealed that the fight against Henderson is the last on Shield’s contract. While, there is a clause that can add one additional bout, a contract extension would need to be signed in order to keep Shields with Strikeforce on a long term basis. Never shy about his aspirations to fight for the UFC some day, Shields has remained adamant that he has not made up his mind. Even so, the heavy emphasis on Henderson during the event promos may have played a part on Shield’s current decision making.

“Stuff like that definitely helps make your decision one way or the other where you’re going to go. Being the champ you at least deserve a little something. Instead of 90 percent Dan, 10 percent me from what I’m hearing, it would be nice to at least get 30 percent.”

A veteran of nearly 30 MMA fights, Shields knows that he must put the contract negotiations and other distractions behind him. He respects Henderson and plans to win Saturday night. After that, he can move on to other things.

“It’s a little irritating, but it is what it is. I’m going to keep getting ready for the fight, and go out there and do my thing and take it from there.”

(source: MMA Weekly)