UFC 129 Fight Card: Georges St-Pierre Trains for Jake Shields

With less than a week to go before Georges St-Pierre defends his title for the sixth time in a row against top contender Jake Shields, training for the UFC welterweight champion becomes more intense, but less frequent.

In this Bleacher Report video slideshow, we will get an inside look at some of the usual and unusual training techniques that GSP goes through in order to remain the champ and one of the top pound-for-pound fighters.

UFC 129: Georges St-Pierre Trains with Freddie Roach

GSP Does Mitt Work with Roach

Here we see St-Pierre putting the finishing touches on his boxing game by working the mitts with world class boxing trainer, Freddie Roach.

Roach is the head trainer for boxing's biggest star, Manny Pacquiao, and has been working with GSP since 2010.

Other notable MMA stars who have received training from Roach are Anderson Silva, Tito Ortiz, Andrei Arlovski, Dan Hardy, Marcus Davis, Ben Rothwell and BJ Penn.

UFC 129: Georges St-Pierre Sparring in the Cage

GSP Sparring

Here we see GSP having a one-on-one sparring session before his fight with Jake Shields.

This kind of "light" sparring is intended to sharpen up the skills, tactics and movements leading up to the bout. It's a bit like polishing a stone after it's been properly cut.

As you can see, his sparring partner is not going lightly on the champ and neither will Shields come fight night.

UFC 129: Georges St-Pierre Trains with Firas Zahabi

GSP & Head Trainer Firas Zahabi

After many rounds of sparring, GSP ends his workout with a focus mitt exercise with his best friend and head trainer, Firas Zahabi.

This exercise is designed to improve combinations, hand speed and head movement. Zahabi has GSP perform this while he's tired, as it helps him push through at the end of a round that could potentially be a close one.

Once again, St-Pierre comes prepared for any and every possibility.

UFC 129: Georges St-Pierre Defies Gravity

GSP Continues Gymnastics Training

In this video we see more incorporation of gymnastics training into St-Pierre's massive repertoire.

This total body exercise is extremely difficult and builds core strength as well as utilizes muscle groups that cannot be targeted by lifting weights or doing normal workouts.

St-Pierre was recently asked by a parent when a child should start training for MMA. His answer was to put them in gymnastics first.

UFC 129: Georges St-Pierre Circuit Training No. 1

GSP Plyometrics Training

If you've ever marveled at Georges St-Pierre's explosive takedowns, this is the reason why.

Here we see GSP incorporating plyometrics into his gymnastic circuit training routine.

Plyometrics training is used by athletes worldwide to produce fast, powerful and explosive movements. They can help you run faster, jump higher or hit harder.

UFC 129: George St-Pierre Does Walking Handstand

GSP Walking Handstand

It might not seem like a big deal, but walking handstands are extremely useful for building natural upper body strength, agility, coordination and overall balance.

The more ways and directions that you can move your body in the Octagon, the better.

Most fighters are definitely not incorporating gymnastics training into their fight game.

UFC 129: Georges St-Pierre Circuit Training No. 2

GSP Gymnast Rings

GSP continues his intense circuit training by performing dead hang muscle ups on the gymnast rings.

This requires tremendous upper body strength, as well as balance and coordination.

I'm excited to see how well all of this gymnastics training pays off for the champ this Saturday, April 30, 2011 at UFC 129: St-Pierre vs. Shields in Toronto.

Don't forget, starting with UFC 129 the main fight card will be broadcast an hour earlier from here on out.

The time has changed from 10 p.m. EST/ 7 p.m. PT to 9 p.m. EST/ 6 p.m. PT.

The UFC 129 prelims can be seen on the UFC Facebook page. Just log in and click "Like" to watch!