This is the first episode of UFC Primetime’s countdown to UFC 129 Georges St-Pierre vs Jake Shields. The St-Pierre vs Shields fight is one that I, and many others in the MMA community, including both GSP and Shields, have been waiting for for a long time. Shields is the Rumble on the Rock Welterweight Tournament Champion, the first and last EliteXC Welterweight Champion, the former Shooto World Middleweight Champion, and former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion. He has trained extensively with Cesar Gracie, David Terrell, Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz and coaches a team of MMA fighters including top ranked Lightweight Gilbert Melendez. So the question remains, is he a threat to GSP?
In this clip Georges comments on being a great athlete but the quality that has enabled him to be such a dominant champion is his mindset. He also refers to his ability and desire to be able to beat his opponents at their own game. I think the best game plan for GSP to beat Shields would be to employ a similar strategy to that which he used against Josh Koscheck in their second fight, and that is to jab and move and pick Shields apart on the feet. I definitely give the edge in stand up to GSP and think that he has a few more tools at his disposal than Shields.
Although Shields is definitely a threat and one of St-Pierre’s toughest challengers, if he comes in with his game face on, as he so often does, keeps it on the feet with smart attacks and movement, and doesn’t give Shields any chance to take him down, GSP will win…again.
