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Jake Shields Happy To Face GSP In Toronto, Will Be Cageside At UFC 124 | MMAWeekly.com

Jake Shields Happy To Face GSP In Toronto, Will Be Cageside At UFC 124

Posted on October 31, 2010 by Damon Martin

A win is a win.

It’s the philosophy that Jake Shields is working with following his split decision victory over Martin Kampmann at UFC 121, and now he’s got his eyes set on the prize he came to the promotion to claim.

The UFC welterweight title currently held by Georges St-Pierre.


The test will not be an easy one of course, and after a rough patch to start his Octagon career, Shields admits he wasn’t even sure the UFC would stand by their promise of a title shot if he won, and even he would understand why.

“It was a great feeling because after that fight I knew I put on such a poor performance, I wouldn’t have been surprised at all if (UFC president Dana White) said either (Jon) Fitch or (Carlos) Condit or something for the title shot. I wouldn’t have blamed him at all cause I was so mad at myself for putting on such a bad performance,” Shields said when appearing on MMAWeekly Radio.

“I think it’s awesome that they’re still giving me the shot. Even though this wasn’t the best performance, I honestly do still feel I deserve a title shot, on a 15-fight winning streak, over some pretty decent opponents.”

In the run Shields is currently on he has defeated fighters like Paul Daley, Carlos Condit, Yushin Okami, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, and Dan Henderson. Anyone that doubts his credentials can just look at the list of opponents he’s faced and defeated, but that will only grant him a shot at the belt. Shields still has to earn the victory to go home with the gold.

The research will start for Shields right away as he plans on sitting front row and center in December at UFC 124 to scout the fight between Georges St-Pierre and Josh Koscheck. If he was forced to pick a winner, Shields believes he’s leaning one way, but won’t be surprised no matter who walks out champion that night.

“I think it’s a really tough fight and really close, and I just give a slight edge to GSP, but I wouldn’t be shocked by any means if Koscheck beat him,” said Shields.

“I think he’s got a shot, but I still give a slight edge to GSP. He’s just a guy that knows how to win.”

As far as who Shields would rather fight, he fully confesses that he’s been calling for a shot at St-Pierre for several years.

“I would definitely rather fight GSP,” Shields commented. “One, he’s the bigger name, the bigger star, and it’s a guy I’ve wanted to fight for a while, and two, I don’t really want to fight Josh. I’ve been training with him forever, I mean I’ll definitely fight him because it’s business, but fighting against your sparring partners is kind of weird to me. Not that I won’t do it, just not something I’m really stoked to do.”

If St-Pierre is victorious for a second time over Koscheck, then Shields is happy to become the bad guy for Canadian fans to root against as he becomes the next man in line to try to take the title away from their home country hero. The Californian says he’s even happy to face St-Pierre on his home soil if that’s what it takes to get the belt.

“I definitely plan on going up to Montreal and be watching to see who I’m fighting. Maybe I’ll pull a Koscheck and bash their hockey team or something like that,” Shields joked.

“There’s a possibility of me fighting him in Toronto in that big 50,000 seat arena or whatever it is. You might as well make them hate you like Koscheck’s done.”

Shields will head to Montreal in December and will happily sit through the title fight at UFC 124 and await his chance to call out the winner to finally compete for the UFC gold.

[MickeyKnox]

Jake would volunteer to bury himself in GSP's backyard?

Bravo.

Please do. The bigger an upset this will be for Shields, the better.

[Dan]

As we all know, Shields struggled with the weight cut to 170 and his cardio, and therefore his explosiveness and ability to shoot, suffered as a result. By the third round Shields looked sluggish and lacked power. Only his technical abilities on the ground allowed him to sweep Kampmann late in the third.

However, we've got to remember, Shields/GSP (assuming GSP will beat Koscheck - but please believe me I am by no means counting Kos out) would be a 5 round fight. Sure Shields has plenty of time to improve his conditioning in time for the fight, but GSP will have a huge advantage in that that fight would be the 11th time GSP will have fought in a fight that is set for 5 rounds, at 170.

However, we cannot count Shields out until we see how he fares against GSP on the night. Shields is an efficient fighter, and an amazing grappler, and if anyone can gain a dominant position against GSP on the ground (not something we see very often!), it would be Shields imo.

[optimusjoel]

Wonder how many northern hicks would start rioting if shields blankets gsp to a decision.

[IceCold48]

whenever everyone completely counts some one out they end up winning or at least shutting them up. edgar, werdum, sonnen.

[GL Jeff]

Originally Posted by optimusjoel

Wonder how many northern hicks would start rioting if shields blankets gsp to a decision.

Northern hicks?

I think Shields is going to move up to 185,because he cant beat the wrestlers/strikers at 170. Both GSP and Kos will stuff his TD's, and then destroy him on the feet. I would love to see him fight Fitch, then move up to 185 and I think he could do very well, similar to Chael, but without being sub'd like its his first day at BJJ class.

[TheKidInside]

PLEASE DON'T LET HIM GET A TITLE SHOT, PLEASE DON'T LET HIM GET A TITLE SHOT, PLEASE DON'T LET HIM GET A TITLE SHOT...sorry wishing very hard

[claycollett3]

Here is what I am ready for, a champ is always defending on home turf whilst the challenger comes into hostile territory and is against all odds etc... When will a champ be allowed or forced to go to the challengers hometown? Like they say, to be a real champ you have to defend the belt not just win it, GSP should defend his belt in Pen. or whereever his latest opponent is from. (I'm not singleing out GSP here). And yes I know ticket sells are a huge part of the process of picking a venue, but any credible/marketable fighter would be able to shouldre this burden and create the ticket sales as well as truely contedt for the belt..

[Black]

I mean this is going to be easiest fight GSP ever had , JAke won't be able to take him down and GSP striking is far better , and cardio is on GSP side... So this will be sad fight for sure...

[end it with a left]

Originally Posted by Black

I mean this is going to be easiest fight GSP ever had , JAke won't be able to take him down and GSP striking is far better , and cardio is on GSP side... So this will be sad fight for sure...

i dont see it as sad i see hope in that we might get to see GSP show off some of that boxing he's been learning with freddie roach and his Karate. Unless he's going to play it like he's showing people he can beat them at their strengths too if their strengths include taking them to the ground and dominating them