EliteXC President Gary Shaw, announced Friday night, that top welterweight fighter and OTM favorite Jake Shields has signed a new long-term contract with the promotion. The terms and length of the contract were not disclosed, but he joins teammate and friend Nick Diaz as a cornerstone of the EliteXC organization. Diaz just signed an extension with the EliteXC 4 weeks ago and will fight K.J. Noons for the 160-pound lightweight title Saturday night.

"The plan was always to stay with EliteXC," said Shields. "For some reason, reporters were running like crazy with the notion that I was going to leave and sign with some other organization. I talked with other groups, but in the end, I decided the best thing for me and my career was to stay put. I have been happy with EliteXC from the beginning. They have been like family to me."

"Jake is flat-out Number 1 in the world in his weight class and we are thrilled that he has re-signed with us," Shaw said. "Jake wants to fight the best and we are going to get him the best. We welcome any and all challenges from the other organizations. If you think you have the best welterweight in the world, then prove it by fighting Jake."

Shields steps into the cage Saturday night to face Mike Pyle at EliteXC "Renegade" in Corpus Christi, Texas, which will be broadcasted live via Showtime.