The death of a parent is a traumatic one for most, if not all persons in one way or another. Although I have never experienced it, the truth is that when the persons who brought you in the world is no longer around to remind us, we must constantly be reminded that they are in a "better place" and although sad, we must find the strength in us to move on.
Kevin Randleman was one such example. Despite the loss of his father in 2004, the former UFC heavyweight champion boarded a flight to Japan to compete in the opening round of the PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix against incumbent Champion Fedor Emelianenko. While he had the advantage early, complete with a belly to back suplex on the Russian, he wasn't able to ride the wave of emotion and in mere seconds following that emphatic slam, he had lost via kimura armbar. Afterward, he let it all out and weeped in the centre of the ring, consoled by the then world #1 heavyweight.
On Saturday night, Jake Shields stepped in the ring against Jake Ellenberger. Shields had won 14 consecutive fights when he entered the UFC, no doubt buoyed by the tutelege of father, manager and mentor, Jack Shields. While training for Ellenberger, Shields was informed by his mother that on August 29th, his father passed away at the age of 67.
Many people were curious as to what Shields' next move was. Jack had been there for every single aspect of his sons MMA career, from world titles in Japan and Strikeforce to his title shot versus UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre. People were wondering if Shields would drop out of the fight, or soldier on and accept it despite the setback.
It turns out, he soldiered on. About a minute and a half into round one on Saturday, Ellenberger dropped Shields with a huge knee in a clinch and finished off with mop up punches (despite Shields being clearly out from the knee). Shields, was clearly confused as after the ref waved it off, tried a takedown on the referee and had to be restrained by support personnel and his own corner. With the loss, he's lost back to back fights after winning 15 straight before St. Pierre.
Nobody knows if Shields was in the correct frame of mind entering Saturday. What we can say is this : When either one of my parents does pass on, I just hope I can find the strength and intestinal fortitude (read: guts) that Shields showed by just stepping in the cage and doing the job as he would normally do on any Saturday night. Despite the loss, Shields deserves a round of applause in taking a fight he could have just as easily backed out from due to circumstance, and nobody would blame him for doing so.
Until next time, fight fans.
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