Northern Exposure

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Taking on a former Strikeforce champion and Ultimate Fighting Championship title challenger in a World Series of Fighting headliner in your hometown might be a little intimidating for some mixed martial artists. However, for Canadian welterweight Ryan Ford, it is just another day at the office.

Ford will meet Jake Shields in the WSOF 14 main event on Saturday at the Edmonton Expo Centre at Northlands in Edmonton, Alberta.

“I get to put on for my city,” Ford told Sherdog.com. “Being in the main event just means you’ve paid your dues and they want to showcase you. You’re in the biggest fight at the end of the night.”

Ford has headlined multiple shows in Edmonton during his time with the Maximum Fighting Championship and Aggression Fighting Championship organizations; he won the Aggression FC 170-pound title with a fifth-round submission of Michael Hill at AFC 19 in July 2013. However, he does not think he will have to deal with the usual distractions that come along with fighting in one’s hometown.

“I do my training camps away from home, so I’m not back [in Edmonton] until the week of the fight,” said the 32-year-old Ford, who operates out of the Tristar Gym in Montreal. “My family and friends know I’m about business before a fight. Even when I’m back in Edmonton, if I’m fighting there, I’m in a focused mindset. I’m looking at the fight.”

Training at such a high-profile gym means Ford is never alone when it comes time to prepare for a fight, and he likes it that way. This time, he had a number of teammates preparing for the UFC events in Stockholm and Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Oct. 4.

“Camp has been going awesome,” said Ford, who owns 20 finishes among his 22 professional MMA victories. “I’ve been getting ready with a lot of guys. I wouldn’t say having camp with a lot of fighters at the same time is different. I’ve never really had a camp where it’s just been me. Our coaches are there and they’re working on everybody. It’s just a lot better when there’s more people getting ready for fights. It means more guys in the gym and everybody’s going hard.”

Ford comes into the match with Shields riding a six-fight winning streak, and he has won 10 of his last 11 bouts dating back to November 2010.

In his most recent outing at a World Series of Fighting Canada event in February, Ford took just 53 seconds to knock out Joel Powell with a front kick and punch in his organizational debut. Ford was set to return in June against Strikeforce and UFC veteran Bristol Marunde, but an injury forced him off the WSOF Canada 2 roster. Shields had to bow out of his most recent fight, as well, as he was scheduled to make his first WSOF appearance against Jon Fitch on July 5 before an injury necessitated his exit.

Now, with both fighters healed from their respective injuries, they square off in what could be an eliminator for a future title fight against WSOF welterweight champion Rousimar Palhares.

“Jake’s a legit competitor,” Ford said. “He’s a specialist at what he does. I’ve been watching him since I started fighting. I saw an opportunity to get this fight, and I asked. I got it, and I think this would make me one of the top fighters around. I think I’ll be ready to do what I have to do when I step in that cage.”

A Cesar Gracie-trained Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who has also held titles in Shooto and EliteXC, Shields was released by Zuffa following a decision loss to former Bellator MMA champion Hector Lombard at UFC 171 in March. He has become known for a grinding style -- some have called it boring -- that has led to 16 decisions among his 29 wins, but Ford is more focused on what he needs to do to be successful than on what Shields might try on fight night.

“I’m just sticking to my game plan and focusing on my game plan,” Ford said. “I know what he will do, and I’m going to set the pace from the beginning. As soon as the cage door closes, game plans can get thrown out anyways, and I may have to resort to my instincts. I feel like I’m ready.”

If Ford knocks off Shields, he could conceivably be next in line for Palhares. However, continued visa issues stemming from a home invasion-related arrest -- Ford was 20 at the time -- and subsequent four-year jail term complicate matters for both fighter and promotion. For now, with Ford’s sights fixed on Shields, talk of a title shot can wait.

“I’ve not really given it any thoughts,” he said. “My main focus since signing for this fight is Jake Shields. I’ve not even looked past anybody or anything. The WSOF is the bunch who makes those decisions, but if I do win, I’ll be waiting to hear what the plan is.”