Shields most certainly is a top fighter. He beat Maia at his own game, something possibly only Weidman came close to doing. He has a win over Woodley, though I thought it was a draw. His loss to Ellenberger came the week that his dad passed away. It's hard not to consider that. And he lost to a juiced up Lombard. Though I believe Lombard beats him regardless. But he would easily be a top 10 welterweight today. I think Palhares would as well. Either of them are capable of beating Lawler, as Shields already has, albeit the old Lawler. I think this matchup will not be FOTY in any way. But as a grappler, I am intrigued by how they deal with the ground matchup.
I understand. I am/was a huge "Money Bags" fan, he is a borderline top 10 guy at WW...however, his fights post-strikeforce have ALL been bad, and he has looked like shit. He should have lost to Woodley and umm...i forget, he had another split decision right after Woodley that he should have lost too, imo. Shields hasn't finished a decent opponent since Lawler in 2009! Palhares has only lost to brutal striking flurry a few times. Palhares is a multiple time ADCC champion, he just walked through John Fish..... sorry but this is not competitive. As I said, Rousimar would be a contender in the UFC if he wasn't cut for holding the heel hook, Shields is just getting older and slower. 37 year old shields is any better than 38/39 year old Nog brothers?