UFC 129 Fight Card: Jake Shields Says "I'm the Most Motivated" As An Underdog

Considered to be one the top welterweights in mixed martial arts, and undefeated in 15 fights, welterweight contender Jake Shields doesn't seem to get much respect from fans. 

Or the betting lines, either. 

Most odds-makers have given Shields a 5:1 chance of relinquishing the UFC welterweight title from Georges St-Pierre at UFC 129, despite holding notable victories over Dan Henderson, Carlos Condit and Yushin Okami.

And while the pressure of competing in a title bout might be overwhelming for most fighters, Shields said he relishes his role as an underdog.

"Whenever I am an underdog, that's when I am most motivated," Shields told Brian Webber of FoxSports.com.

"When I fought Hayato Sakurai, Dan Henderson, Rumble at The Rock tournament, in those three situations I went in and I was a huge, huge underdog and I shocked everyone."

And while he is renowned for his outstanding jiu-jitsu skills, Shields could very well shock everyone once again. The last time an opponent shocked the French-Canadian was Matt Serra, who defeated St-Pierre by knockout at UFC 69 in a monumental upset. 

Shields said he is aware of the credentials St-Pierre carries as a fighter but he said plans on taking the fight to the champion. 

"I plan on forcing him into my element. He's a great stand-up fighter as well, and he's got good grappling also, but I plan on putting him on his back and making him fight there," Shields said. 

Both competitors are standouts in the welterweight division and their bout will determine the top fighter at 170 lbs. And should St-Pierre retain his title, the whispers of a super-fight with UFC middleweight champion will become louder, but Shields said he doesn't see the bout going in the champion's favour.

"I see myself winning, I don't know how. I think it will be an all-out war."