UFC 129: Georges St-Pierre vs Jake Shields: Battle of the Specialists

I know it has been quite some time since I have written an MMA article. Time flies by and we get caught up with surviving in a busy world. But better later than never. UFC 129 is around the corner and I'll get right into the battle of the specialists.

UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre will be defending his title against his most difficult opponent of his entire MMA career, former Strikeforce champion Jake Shields. I'll break down both fighters and as always, give my prediction on this amazing matchup.

So why do I consider Jake Shields to be GSP's most difficult opponent ever? If anyone has been following MMA or anything related to the grappling community, one will know why Jake Shields is "the specialist."

Shields uses his strongest asset, jiu-jitsu, to capture and lock in the submission similar to that of a boa constrictor securing its prey. He is a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt, a former NCAA Division II wrestling star, a former Shooto, Strikeforce and Rumble on the Rock Champion. Opponents all try to avoid the takedown and submission, but they have all failed when Shields gets a hold of their limbs.

His aggressiveness and strong will to never give up or tap makes him more dangerous than any opponent GSP has faced. The only time that I can recall Jake Shields tapping out was to Marcelo Garcia at the Abu Dhabi Grappling Championships years ago. But Marcelo Garcia's jiu-jitsu is in another universe all together.

Many criticized Shields first UFC fight against Martin Kampmann as slow and uninteresting. Many thought Kampman would be victorious because he was able to escape Shield's submission attempts and barely got a scratch in the stand up exchange.

But remember folks, this is a mixed martial arts competition. Judges are scoring the rounds and Shields won because of his jiu-jitsu dominance over Kampmann. Shields did not have the best performance primarily because of the drastic weight cut days prior the fight. He won't be making the same mistake against GSP.

Jake Shields can secure the win over GSP by sticking to his effective strategy of wrestling and jiu-jitsu. This is what he is a specialist.

Shields will most likely start the fight with a few punches to time his distance for the take down. His single-leg takedown is one of the best in the business and if he can secure the takedown and maintain dominant position over GSP, Shields will look for the first submission attempt to force GSP to tap out.

Shields dominated current Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson in their bout even though many thought he was done in the first round from Henderson's powerful right hand. Shields recovered and in the remaining rounds, Henderson could not get Shields off of his mount.

GSP will be in deep water should Shields be able to control him in the mount or the rear. At the same time, punches will be flying left and right. Fighters and fans both know that you don't need to have a knockout for the referee to step in if a fighter is not intelligently defending him or herself.

However, this is easier said than done. Shields will probably be facing just as equally a dangerous opponent in that of GSP. Like Shields, GSP is a specialist in having no specific style in MMA. He uses everything in his arsenal to win the fight.

GSP has proved that in his recent fights against Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch and BJ Penn. GSP took down Koscheck at will in both of their bouts and dominated the stand up with lightning fast jabs that amazed UFC commentator Joe Rogan.

GSP has improved dramatically in every UFC fight. GSP has a wealth of high level training partners and coaches helping him daily to improve his skills and game plan for this fight. Whatever he is doing with Greg Jackson, Kru Phil Nurse of the WAT Gym and the folks at the Tri-Star Gym in Canada is working miracles.

His outstanding wrestling skills is almost on another level in the UFC. Just look at what he did to Koscheck and BJ Penn.

One difference between GSP and Jake Shields is GSP's striking skills. This was displayed beautifully in the Fitch and Koscheck fight. GSP threw a right cross that sent spit flying out of Fitch's mouth. And everyone saw what he did to Koscheck's right eye with just jabs.

I predict GSP will start feeling out Shields to see if he will stand up and exchange. Should Shields decide to keep the fight standing for some strange reason, I predict that GSP will inflict the same damage as he did with Koscheck by utilizing the jab. However, GSP should already be anticipating Shields to take him down.

If GSP can avoid the takedown and/or initiates his own takedown instead, he should be able to create enough ground-and-pound to minimize the jiu-jitsu specialist's initial submission attempts. Shields will be moving to regain dominant position so GSP will have to sprawl, keep constant movement and pressure so he does not get reversed.

Regardless of how the fight starts, it won't be easy for either fighter. Shields can win if GSP cannot find the solution to Shields' ground game. GSP can win if Shields cannot take down GSP and control of the fight.

Regardless of who wins or loses, I see it as a battle of two specialists in their prime discovering how to display the best combat skills humanly possible.