Jake Shields showed flashes of grappling brilliance in his convincing decision victory over former UFC middleweight champion Dave Menne. Throughout their 15 minutes in the cage Shields shot off Mennexs punches as if he knew exactly when and where they were coming.

During stretches Shields was incredibly active from the top. He passed guard numerous times, working from both side-control and mount against Menne, a man who's not used to getting put on his back or out-worked on the floor.

Between rounds, Shields corner worked professionally, refreshing their fighter in advance of another five minutes of action. Menne, however, stood alone in the cage for nearly half the break before finally being brought a stool and drink of water.

Menne, despite this, stopped Shieldxs takedown attacks twice to begin the middle period. Instead of playing on the feet with Menne, who looked meager while weighing in at 175 pounds on Thursday, Shields pulled guard, where he nearly sunk a fight-ending triangle choke.

When Menne had Shields in trouble it was during transitions. If Shields couldnxt finish a takedown, Menne took his chance and connected with knees. But against the controlling former SHOOTO 167-pound champion, those opportunities were few and far between. Up two rounds to none heading into the third, and having worn Menne with strikes and grappling, Shields started the final period by methodically finishing a takedown and controlling position, before passing to side- and full-mount. A missed armbar put Shields on his back, but the Cesar Gracie-trained fighter had little trouble with Menne there.

In the final 45 seconds, Shields secured back-control and tried to end the bout by submission. But against a man as crafty and experienced as Menne, it would not come and each of the three judges at ringside rendered the same verdict: 30-27 Shields...

(Compliments of www.sherdog.com)