The March 29th bout between Jake Shields and Drew Fickett originally on the fight card of the co-produced Elite XC & Strikeforce event has been postponed due to injury.The ranked welterweight withdrew from his title fight on Tuesday morning after his father and manager, Jack Shields, determined that an injury to his lower back could greatly affect the San Franciscan's performance.
"I kept going back and forth thinking I could tough it out and get through it hurt," said Shields, who told Sherdog.com the injury occurred last week as he performed cardio drills with a heavy hammer. "I felt maybe when I'm warm and suck it up, it wouldn't hurt during the fight. I thought I could ignore it. But my dad was worried I'd throw it out bad doing that."
Bed ridden for several days, Shields, 29, said the injury improved to the point where he could walk on his own, but "can't quite workout."
EliteXC promoter Gary Shaw told Sherdog.com that Fickett (32-5) would likely be moved to the undercard. According to Fickett's manager, Bryan Hamper of XR Fighting Management, event promoters are in the process of looking for a licensed opponent to fight the 28-year-old Arizona-based UFC veteran.
Presuming he wins, Fickett will meet Shields June 14 in Honolulu, Hawaii, EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw told Sherdog.com. The Showtime-televised card will also feature a 160-pound title fight between champion KJ Noons and Yves Edwards, which was rumored to appear May 31 on CBS. Kala Kolohe Hose is also slated to appear on the card.
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