TKO Xtreme

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Reports have surfaced stating that newly signed EliteXC welterweight John Alessio may be in line to face Jake Shields for the EliteXC welterweight title.

According to a report, Shields has been offered the bout with Canadian-born Alessio but he is still considering options and has is currently juggling the idea of moving up to middleweight.

“Right now I have a really good offer on the table to fight a top 185-pounder,” Shields stated. “I’m just waiting, hoping Elite (XC) will give me that opportunity to go out there and represent Elite and test myself.

Rumor has it that opponent may in fact be former UFC welterweight contender Frank “Twinkle Toes” Trigg. Trigg and Shields have a long standing history which has seen them exchange verbal jabs throughout the media but for various reasons the fight never materialized.

When speaking about Alessio, Shields told MMAWeekly.com that it’s not a fight that excites him.

“Alessio, he’s a good opponent, (but) it’s a fight that doesn’t really excite me though unfortunately. I’m not too motivated about it, but he’s one dangerous guy that you’ve got to watch out for. He’s a really difficult guy to fight, hard to take down, good stand-up, but if that’s the fight I end up taking, I’ll get myself motivated and pumped up to go do it, but right now I’m really excited about the other fight. I think it’s good for my career and I hope (Elite XC) will realize it too, that it’s not bad for their show, that it helps push me further.”

Alessio has very solid striking and a great sprawl but I feel Shields wrestling and jiu-jitsu may just be too much for him at this point.