UFC 129: GSP vs. Jake Shields: A Throwback to UFC 1

UFC 1 means many things to a lot of different people. Some see it as an historic event that jumpstarted the Mixed Martial Arts revolution in the United States. Others view it as a sound business decision by the Gracie family to put Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on a national stage, eventually leading to Gracie Jiu Jitsu academies in every major city across America. 

And as much as we all love Daniel Larusso and his gutsy display against the Cobra Kai in 1983, by 1993, after UFC 1, karate just wasn’t as cool anymore.

Regardless of the many perspectives out there, there’s one thing everyone can agree on: UFC 1 showed us that when two single-style trained martial artists are locked in a cage together and square off one-on-one, one of the best fighting styles out there is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Royce Gracie proved that time and again.

Fast forward about 18 years to UFC 129: St-Pierre vs. Shields.

First, we have the reigning UFC welterweight champion, Georges St-Pierre. GSP is widely considered to be one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, as well as the most dynamic, well-rounded competitor in the UFC. With an arsenal including elements of boxing, BJJ, muay thai, wresting, Kyokushin Karate, tae kwon do, gymnastics and ridiculous feats of strength and athleticism, GSP has it all. 

He has stated that he is not the best striker, wrestler, or submission guy out there. But, he has said that what he does better than anyone else in the game is put it all together. He means it when he says he has more tools in his tool box than his opponents, and backs it up with an impressive 21-2 record, including five successful title defenses against the best welterweight contenders the UFC had to offer. 

GSP is, by definition, a true mixed martial artist.

On the other side of the cage, we have Jake Shields. He is a submission specialist boasting a 26-4 record, and is riding a 15-fight winning streak which began in late 2005. Since that time, he’s defeated the likes of Paul Daley, Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit, Robbie Lawler, Jason Miller and Dan Henderson. 

Sure, Shields cross trains in kickboxing and MMA, but he never loses sight of what brought him to the dance: his grappling. Shields’ takedowns and jiu jitsu, especially from top control, are what led him to success. Much to many fans’ dismay, 13 of his 26 wins have come by way of “boring” decision. Regardless, he has his jiu jitsu to thank for these 13 victories as well.

Jake Shields has been called a lot of things. Although some, including GSP, would disagree, one of those things is “one-dimensional.” Another is simply “effective.” Call Shields whatever you want, but he has been able to force the last 15 guys he’s fought into his realm of jiu jitsu, and win the fight from there. 

GSP knows what Jake will try to do to him.  He’ll attempt to set up his takedowns with strikes, take him down, pass his guard and submit him. GSP knows that this is coming. The question is, can he stop it?

So, how is UFC 129 at all like UFC 1? It’s pretty simple, actually. We’ve got a fighter, in Jake Shields, aiming for a title and relying primarily on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to get him there. Similar to Royce Gracie at UFC 1, Shields will try to take his opponent to the floor, and work for a submission or control the guy for a decision from there. 

Realistically, how else does Shields win this fight? By TKO? KO? Doubt it. If the last several Jake Shields fights are any indication, if by chance he pulls off the upset this Saturday, it will be either by decision or submission.

Shields has already proved that a fighter who excels primarily as a grappler can make it to the upper echelon of MMA.  But, can that “one-dimensional” fighter become UFC champion in 2011? Against Georges St-Pierre? Probably not, and I’ll tell you why.

The history of modern Mixed Martial Arts suggests that Shields won‘t pull it off. Royce Gracie was a dominant force at UFC 1 through 4. But when he ran into a far more versatile guy named Matt Hughes at UFC 60, his BJJ alone just wasn’t enough anymore. 

At UFC 112, people knew that Demian Maia’s jiu jitsu was off the charts. But, he didn’t have the wrestling pedigree to take down Anderson Silva, so a submission was nowhere in sight. At UFC 117, Chael Sonnen gave MMA fans around the world a riveting 4.5 rounds of beatdown on Anderson Silva, but his lack of submission defense resulted in the eighth loss in his career via tap out.

In all these cases, the more well-rounded fighter, especially in a championship match at the most elite level, fought and won his fight. Jake Shields defeating Georges St-Pierre this Saturday would defy the logic of modern MMA, but that doesn’t mean he can’t do it. After all, this is MMA. Anything can happen. 

Eighteen years ago, people would have never guessed that Royce Gracie could defeat a guy the size of Dan Severn. But guess what? He did. Then again, that was a different time and place, and MMA has evolved immensely since then. We have living proof of that. His name is Georges St-Pierre.

In the end, we’ll all find out this Saturday at UFC 129 whether or not Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can withstand the test of time and create another champion. If Jake Shields pulls off the unthinkable, then as far as Mixed Martial Arts is concerned, Gracie Jiu Jitsu still reigns supreme. If Georges St. Pierre continues with his winning ways as expected, then the evolution continues.