4. Jake Shields
Consistent excellence has been the hallmark of Shields’ outstanding career. A no-frills grinder who holds the rank of black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Cesar Gracie, he has claimed titles in Strikeforce, Shooto and EliteXC, all while facing -- and beating -- many of his contemporaries. His notable victories are almost too numerous to count: Hayato Sakurai, Akira Kikuchi, Dave Menne, Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit, Mike Pyle, Dan Henderson, Martin Kampmann, Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia. Shields also fought for championships in the UFC, losing to Georges St. Pierre, and the World Series of Fighting, bowing to Rousimar Palhares and Jon Fitch. Between Nov. 12, 2005 and Oct. 23, 2010, he put together a remarkable 15-fight winning streak, the run of success coming across multiple weight classes and various high-level organizations.
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