The recent announcement that the fight between Nick Diaz and Joe Riggs on August 15 for the vacant Strikeforce Welterweight title has, in my mind, solidified the fact that consensus Top-10 welterweight Jake Shields will soon be in the octogon. Why else wouldn't Strikeforce put their, hands-down, best pound-for-pound fighter in a shot at their belt in his own weight class? In a recent interview with RawVegas.tv, Shields said that he had two fights left on his contract. Those likely will be featuring him in catch-weight fights. (which Strikeforce is forced to put on due to their small talent pool) In that same interview, Shields spoke about trying to sign with the UFC after EliteXC's demise only to wind up with Strikeforce after they bought up ProElite's assets.

All signs are pointing to this happening and it makes sense for Shields, there's no way for him to improve his standing in the Welterweight division without making a trip into the octogon, which would give the UFC a complete monopoly on the Top 10 fighters in the world at 170. Strikeforce may drag out these last two fights for Shields, but I feel eventually within the next year we will see this happen. What do you think?

Promoted from the FanPosts by Kid Nate.

According to the Youngstown Vindicator, in an article announcing an upcoming WEC show in Youngstown on September 2nd, the WEC plans to strip current Lightweight champion Jamie Varner of his belt. Also a very interesting quote from WEC GM Reed Harris is included:

This is the first WEC card in Ohio.

"We looked at a number of areas because we want to go and grow in new markets," said Reed Harris, WEC’s general manager and founder. "Youngstown is a great fight town. We also looked at Pittsburgh and Cleveland, but we felt Youngstown would be a centralized venue."

The main event for the card, with 10 or 11 bouts, is for the lightweight title between Donald Cerrone and Ben Henderson.

The WEC plans to strip the lightweight title shortly from Jamie Varner, who won a fight by split decision in the fifth round in January against Cerrone. The fight had to be stopped after Cerrone hit Varner in the head with his knee in an illegal move.

During that fight, Varner broke a hand and a foot, and may never fight again, Harris said.

This is the first news we've heard about Varner's injuries being so serious it may end his career. It certainly would be a shame if the 24-year old had to end his fighting days so early.

photo via brawlin.net

[UPDATE] - Apparently Harris' words may have been taken a bit out of context and currently Varner will not yet be stripped of his title. NWI MMA Blog has more.

The main event at WEC 43 will be an interim lightweight title fight between Donald Cerrone and Ben Henderson.

Reached Tuesday for clarification, Harris elaborated on his comment.

"Jamie’s injured and I’m not sure when he’s going to come back," Harris said. "And (the Vindicator reporter) said, ‘Is there a chance he couldn’t come back?’ and I said, ‘Of course — he’s got an injury to his hand.’ So for that reason, we did this as an interim belt. Obviously if he can’t come back, we will do it as a permanent title."

"Varner's tried twice to come back and not been able to. We’re looking at the possibility that he might NOT come back. I think it’s going to be a while (before he could come back). The doctor said it is healing, and they had actually gone back in probably two and half to three months ago to do more work on it." said Harris.