Jake Shields returned to the UFC welterweight division on Saturday night at UFC 161 and defeated fellow Strikeforce alum Tyron Woodley by split decision. 
As the opening bell sounded, Shields looked to his his leg kicks to set up a takedown so he could take the fight to the ground. He would close the gap ad clinch with Woodley.
The fighters clinched against the fence and they exchange strikes to the body. After a lack of action, referee Yves Lavigne separated the fighters and the fight moved back to the center of the cage. After exchanging strikes for over a minute, Shields went for a takedown near the fence. He would be unable to take the fight to the ground before the round ended.
In the second round, they continued to strike at the start before they clinched against the fence. Shields attempted to get the fight to the ground but Woodley was stopping the attempt. Woodley would be able to break away from Shields with 90 seconds left in the round and threw two right hands that misses.
Once again, Shields went for a takedown that was stopped by Woodley. They grappled against the cage for the rest of the round and Woodley appeared to be conserving his energy for the final round.
The final round started just as the previous rounds went with Shields clinching with Woodley. With two minutes left in the round, Woodley landed a spinning back fist but Shields came forward and looked for a takedown. He would be unable to get the fight to the ground and Lavigne separated the fighters with the action stalled. The remainder of the fight would remain on the feet with neither fighter landing a significant strike.
Two of the three judges scored the fight for Shields (28-6-1, 1NC) and he is 2-0, 1NC in his last three fights.
UFC 161 Results:
Jake Shields def. Tyron Woodley via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
James Krause def. Sam Stout via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3, 4:47
Sean Pierson def. Kenny Robertson def. majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Roland Delorme def. Edwin Figueroa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Mitch Clarke def. John Maguire via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Yves Jabouin def. Dustin Pague via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)