Jake Shields is one of the best grapplers in MMA. He’s riding a 15 fight win streak and at UFC 121, he earned himself a shot at the welterweight title with a split decision victory over Martain Kampmann. Is he being fast tracked for the title shot? Sure, but with a 15 fight win streak, against some top quality opponents, the shot is deserved – regardless of whether or not the wins came in another organization.
So, since he’s going to be fighting either GSP or Koscheck (pending the outcome of UFC 124), he went to Thailand to develop his striking – which is clearly his biggest weakness. In the video above, Shields is working with Kru Yod, who is the head trainer at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket. Every time I see Kru Yod training someone I’m impressed (and a little jealous that I haven’t got to work with him).
THINKING OF GOING TO THAILAND TO TRAIN?
I’ve developed a 70 page guide that profiles everything you need to know about training in Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. In the manual, I discuss the visa issues, the Muay Thai camps, the different areas, the transportation, the food, the culture and customs, the girls, the scams, the safety issues and most importantly, how to save a ton of cash along the way!
