UFC 129 Video: Dana White Breaks Down St. Pierre vs. Shields

by Nick Thomas on Apr 27, 2011 6:00 PM EDT in UFC Video

UFC President Dana White breaks down the UFC Welterweight title bout between Georges St. Pierre and Jake Shields leading to UFC 129's debut in Toronto. The April 30th card will be the most well-attended UFC in history with over 55,000 tickets already sold for the Rogers Centre.

"(People not giving Jake Shields enough credit) bums George out, because people don't realize what a tough test this is for George. The hardcore (fans) I think get it."

"The thing I'm interested in is, Georges St. Pierre chews wrestlers up and spits them out. Jake Shields is a different kind of wrestler. He out wrestled Dan Henderson, you name it. I don't even think Jake Shields mom expected him to beat Dan Henderson. Nobody expected that. Jake Shields is a winner and he finds a way to win."

Head trainers Cesar Gracie and Firas Zahabi also break down Saturday night's main event on the Gross Point Blank ESPN podcast (audio) [transcribed by Fight Opinion]

Cesar Gracie - "GSP’s never fought someone on this kind of level in his life. He just hasn’t. A lot of people will point out to the guys GSP has fought, Matt Serra, B.J. Penn, but those are guys that can make 155. Jake cannot make 155 unless you cut his legs off or something, it’s not going to happen. Jake, like Joe Rogan said, is the best grappler (GSP) has ever encountered. So if it gets into grappling and scrambling, I feel really good about that."

"I’d say tapout, I really do. I think that the best way for Jake to do it. I’ve never seen anything from GSP’s toughness in regards to taking a beating. He’s a great hammer. Let’s see him when he’s the nail. Jake has to put GSP in some deep water like that and really see what he’s made out of. I want to see what happens when (GSP)’s getting punished. If he happens to take Jake to the mat, you cannot hold Jake down. I’ll be surprised if GSP can hold Jake down. I think he’ll get up, he’ll get up on top of him. This is a great match-up."

Firas Zahabi - "I would think it would be a mistake to show too much respect for Jake Shields’ grappling. He’s a great grappler, he’s a phenomenal grappler. But I don’t think he’s been with a grappler as good as Georges as well. Georges never had faced such a good grappler and neither has Shields. Georges’ jiu-jitsu is extremely well-developed, extremely well put together. Georges for this camp has rolled with 20 different black belts, literally over 20 different guys with their own specialties on the ground. So, he has plenty of experience on the ground, plenty."

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I have this niggling feeling

That GSP is leaving Jake Shields left arm at the end of thsi fight.

http://unintelligentdefense.blogspot.com

by MattParker117 on Apr 27, 2011 6:09 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs

*with

http://unintelligentdefense.blogspot.com

by MattParker117 on Apr 27, 2011 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m sure everyone is going to jump on Firas’ comments because of the level of comp Shields’ has faced in competition jiu-jitsu, but I think the statement is probably accurate for MMA jits.

by CstBoog on Apr 27, 2011 6:21 PM EDT reply actions

Georges for this camp has rolled with 20 different black belts

I know it’s been said before, but GSP is the only fighter that gets me excited when I hear about his camps.

*BJJ with Roger Gracie and 19 other mat-magicians
*Boxing with Freddie Roach
*Gymnastics at an Olympic gym
*Muay Thai with crazy drunk french guy (that happens to be a damn good thai fighter)

The dude takes it to a whole different level when it comes to expanding his skill-set. I, for one, can’t wait to see this fight. And I would enjoy seeing GSP win via Sub. Not an easy fight, though. Especially if/when it hits the mat.

by BKdroid on Apr 27, 2011 6:22 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

It's crazy

He literally travels all around the world to train for a fight. He’s probably one of the most dedicated fighter out there.

by av1o3 on Apr 27, 2011 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't forget sprinting with Linford Christie

Olympic Gold medalist
(and juicer)

by Robust23 on Apr 27, 2011 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Gsp by sub? You must be joking.

by p123 on Apr 27, 2011 11:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I think most of this fight will take place on the ground with GSP dominating from top position with elbows and punches. It’ll go until it’s stopped via TKO or 25 minutes expires.

People who believe in Shields tend to think Georges is just going to try to sprawl and attack on the feet. It’s not how GSP fights, doing that puts Shields in control of the pace of the fight, and leaves St. Pierre reacting. My suspicion is that St. Pierre will keep Shields at a distance with his jab and inside leg kicks, and if Shields tries to close the distance St. Pierre will take him down and bludgeon him from top position. Shields is going to have to sweep St. Pierre or submit him off his back to win this fight. I do not see either happening.

by Michael Rome on Apr 27, 2011 6:38 PM EDT reply actions

this just in ....

Canadian picks Gsp to win fight.

"Many have the will to win. Few have to will to prepare to win."

" A black belt only covers 2 inches of your ass. The rest is up to you." - Royce Gracie
"Wanderlei eventually got to his feet and stalked Fujita like a Japanese octopus in an all-female prison." - Sean Baby Cracked.com

by the-gentle-way on Apr 27, 2011 6:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

And he did so in an extremely well thought out and analytical prediction.

by Hardcharger on Apr 27, 2011 8:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

absolutely he did, and I would like to counter those points by saying " USA USA USA USA USA!" lol

This is the most excited I have been for a Gsp fight since he fought Bj again.
This is first time I haven’t thought gsp was just gonna handle his opponent like he was giving out free lessons since Bj.

Do you think Jake will be able to take him down?

"Many have the will to win. Few have to will to prepare to win."

by the-gentle-way on Apr 27, 2011 8:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I thought you picked Kos to KO GSP?

I think Shields may get a couple tds, but it won’t be enough.

by Hardcharger on Apr 28, 2011 10:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Usually I can shake off insults, but never in my life have I been called a Canadian! I’m fucking PISSED!!!!

by Michael Rome on Apr 27, 2011 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

lmao

My bad bro! I though you and Fagan were canucks. My best friend is a canadian. Don’t take it too hard.

"Many have the will to win. Few have to will to prepare to win."

by the-gentle-way on Apr 27, 2011 8:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I might catch a lot of slack for this but...

If GSP really enjoys challenging himself, he should go to the ground with Shields. I mean, is it really that big of a challenge standing with Shields? If he wants to be considered the best WW or P4P ever, he needs to start beating other fighters at their own game (not their weaknesses) to show how superior he really is. GSP kept Hardy on the ground and kept the Kos fight standing. If GSP actually challenged himself and tried beating these inferior fighters at their only strengths, and not their weaknesses to show how superior he is, I might actually be rooting for him.

WAR SHIELDS!!!

Just Breed!

by ScoreCardOTN on Apr 27, 2011 6:52 PM EDT reply actions

wait Hughes can make 155?!

by brooksto on Apr 27, 2011 7:05 PM EDT reply actions

oops wrong matt i see he said serra

by brooksto on Apr 27, 2011 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions

If GSP today fought the 185lb Dan Henderson would he win?

I mean today, without going up to 200 some odd pounds and then cutting. I’m talking about right now with his current walking around weight.

by Robust23 on Apr 27, 2011 7:23 PM EDT reply actions

what relevance does that have?

U C O N N Huskies
2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Champs!

by Austin Martin on Apr 27, 2011 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

what relevance do any of the 1000 random fantasy fights ppl ask about have?
Just wanna know who ppl would pick in that fight.

by Robust23 on Apr 27, 2011 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions

The only submission I see Jake winning with is a guillotine

U C O N N Huskies
2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Champs!

by Austin Martin on Apr 27, 2011 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

Rnc

"Many have the will to win. Few have to will to prepare to win."

by the-gentle-way on Apr 27, 2011 8:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I can’t see him successfully getting back position on GSP. I do see him pulling a really slick guillotine if he can catch GSP in a takedown.

U C O N N Huskies
2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Champs!

by Austin Martin on Apr 27, 2011 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Hard to pull this off with St. Pierre. He is very careful about head placement on his takedowns, his head is almost always way too low to get a guillotine. It’s his most likely chance of victory though (not saying much).

by Michael Rome on Apr 27, 2011 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Most people are focused on trying to stop GSPs takedowns. If Shields has somehow found a way to time the takedown and dip his body maybe he can snag GSP’s neck? Its a shot in the dark, but I’m a victim of the hype machine

U C O N N Huskies
2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Champs!

by Austin Martin on Apr 27, 2011 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions