UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Jake Shields is back in the mix, but in a different capacity than when he left the MMA world. After two decades of competing, Shields (33-11-1) was burnt out and in need of a break. He didn’t fully avoid martial arts, however, as the paychecks continued to come in from his work at Gilbert Melendez’s El Niño Training Center in San Francisco. As Shields became more comfortable with the idea of making a return to the MMA circuit in some capacity, the rug was yanked out from under him when the California government mandated gyms to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Timing is everything, and with the state of the world being what it was Shields decided it was time to capitalize on his restored love for being around high-level fighters and fights.
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‘Unlikely’ to fight again, Jake Shields enthused to return to MMA as coach – MMA Junkie