Can Shields beat GSP?

[clovett]

when is he gonna get over that loss? lol


"With Jake Shields, I'm very nervous for this fight. I have goosebumps, more than ever before. I have the flash of what happened with Matt Serra (at UFC 69) and I don't want it to happen again. I'm fighting the most dangerous guy I have ever fought and it's going to be a very tough fight."

[Kuzzy Powers]

GSP is very humble man.. he has a lot of respect for his opponents, and he recognizes Shields is one of his toughest to date. Him being nervous is nothing new, tho, he says before every fight that hes nervous for it.

That being said, he aint losing.

[Guest]

i think that gsp will take him down and win a decision as he has the last few fights. the thing that probably scares gsp is that shields has good bjj off his back where as some of the others he's fought haven't

[Juggernaut]

I don't watch that much, but GSP is the shit. Dude is amazing.

[EmpireWF]

GSP would be better off keeping it standing as he mostly did with Koscheck.

Unlike Hardy who had nothing to do off his back, Shields is a beast on the ground.

[SHOGUN]

Yes, Shields can beat GSP. You don't go on a five-year, 15-fight win streak against the competition he has beaten without having some formula for success. His striking his asscheeks, but he's really crafty about turning a fight into a grappling match from almost any position and might have the best scrambling ability in the division outside of maybe Askren. This is definitely the best grappler that he's faced so far.

[trojan49er]

yes shields can win. like shogun said, shields is the best grappler GSP has faced so far in his career. that said, GSP is really hard to take down and keep down and has a huge advantage standing up. I see this fight going a lot like the Koscheck fight with GSP using his wrestling to keep it standing where he can pick Shields apart

[Steel Mamba]

Yes, Shields can beat GSP. You don't go on a five-year, 15-fight win streak against the competition he has beaten without having some formula for success. His striking his asscheeks, but he's really crafty about turning a fight into a grappling match from almost any position and might have the best scrambling ability in the division outside of maybe Askren. This is definitely the best grappler that he's faced so far.

Shields is an amazing fighter and one of the best opponents GSP will face. But, how will Shields be able to win? He won't outstrike GSP, so the question is whether or not he can take him down. If he gets him down can he keep him there? IMO the answer is no, so while amazingly talented I don't see anyway for Shields to win this fight.

[EmpireWF]

That's what everyone said before he fought Hendo, Mamba.

[calgaryballer]

I think that GSP will keep it at distance and be able to pick Shields apart. Wouldn't be surprised to see GSP finish it on the feet

[Steel Mamba]

That's what everyone said before he fought Hendo, Mamba.

But Hendo has been taken down by lesser wrestlers in the past. Hendo never made wrestling the core part of his MMA game, whereas GSP has.

[SHOGUN]

Shields is an amazing fighter and one of the best opponents GSP will face. But, how will Shields be able to win? He won't outstrike GSP, so the question is whether or not he can take him down. If he gets him down can he keep him there? IMO the answer is no, so while amazingly talented I don't see anyway for Shields to win this fight.

That's the $64,000 question. Shields doesn't have the great traditional power double that most of the top wrestlers have, but he's sneaky about luring people into his game. Will GSP have the discipline to avoid getting in the clinch with Shields, where he has shown to be able to get people down? Will he able be able to remain passive when Shields plays opossum?

Shields is also working with Chael Sonnen and Ben Askren, two of the best takedown artists in the game. GSP, while not bad, he hasn't shown great ability to work off his back. Koscheck got him down and held him for a decent amount of time, and Shields easily has a better top control game. I've said it before, but it doesn't really matter how many takedowns Shields succeeds at - all he needs is one to turn the tide.

I could easily see this fight going just like GSP/Koscheck or GSP/Fitch where he simply dominates the standup for five rounds, but I think if there is ANYONE at 170 that could beat St. Pierre (as unlikely as it sounds) it's Jake Shields.

[calgaryballer]

That's the $64,000 question. Shields doesn't have the great traditional power double that most of the top wrestlers have, but he's sneaky about luring people into his game. Will GSP have the discipline to avoid getting in the clinch with Shields, where he has shown to be able to get people down? Will he able be able to remain passive when Shields plays opossum?

Shields is also working with Chael Sonnen and Ben Askren, two of the best takedown artists in the game. GSP, while not bad, he hasn't shown great ability to work off his back. Koscheck got him down and held him for a decent amount of time, and Shields easily has a better top control game. I've said it before, but it doesn't really matter how many takedowns Shields succeeds at - all he needs is one to turn the tide.

I could easily see this fight going just like GSP/Koscheck or GSP/Fitch where he simply dominates the standup for five rounds, but I think if there is ANYONE at 170 that could beat St. Pierre (as unlikely as it sounds) it's Jake Shields.

Agreed. There is one man left to beat GSP at 170, and it's Shields.

[Liquidrob]

No time limit I take Diaz over GSP, but 5 rounds I got GSP

Anyway, Jake can sub GSP and keep him down, GSP has not been great off his back, even Alves had him there and GSP didnt look great

GSP will try and keep it standing at all costs, won't even risk taking Jake down unless it's like 4:50 of the round, Jake can sweep him and his scramble game can get him on top in grappling exchanges

Jake is going to look to bait him and dive for singles, creates scrambles, pull half or full guard if he has to off of failed shots, might be ugly if GSP keeps it standing, Jake has zero power to even have a Matt Serra moment, so GSP will be in complete sprawl mode

Interesting fight, leaning towards GSP right now though