Jake Shields breaks down his matchup with GSP in a new interview from this morning.
"There are big differences between me and all of the other guys at 170 lbs. Koscheck shoots in a big blast double from outside and GSP had an answer for that. I have some different strategies and I'm going to try to come up with some new strategies because it is hard to get GSP to the ground. I have a feeling I'll be able to get him down there with my style."
"I'm obviously not getting hit too much," Shields added.
Full interview is here: Exclusive: Jake Shields Talks GSP, Responds to Fitch
Enjoy.
Not before GSP either gets him down or bitchslaps him around the Octagon in the stand-up.
Seriously, GSP is like Shields kryptonite.
Koscheck is ten times the wrestler Shields is
Shields was not even confident enough to take down Fitch in a grappling match. He pulled guard
Yea but what are you going to do if you do get him down NOTHING
Maynard Edgar we all thought would be boring and we were wrong. But this fight, I can't see any scenario which makes it exciting.
GSP via tko in Rd 2
glad he believes he can. It isn't going to happen of course. And no way does he have a answer for GSP's standup. Hell if Kampmann hadn't been dumb enough to turn their match into a bjj battle he would have been ko'd on the feet, so no way is he outwrestling Georges OR standing w him competitively.
GSP always takes the fight to where his opponent is weakest. So, I expect Georges to just keep it standing and smash Jake's face with kicks, punches, elbows, knees all night. Shields probably won't score a single take down. And will probably be finished in a similar fashion as Georges finished Serra in the second fight. Turtled up in a ball on the ground with Georges crushing in his rib cage with vicious knees.
Shouldn't last more than 2 rounds.
Shields is great when he is fighting guys that he can takl down but GSPm is his worst possible opponent..a guy that can strike and has the best wrestling in mma..plus, GSP has cardio for days whereas SHields gasses out within 3 rounds...SHields striking isnt that good either..
SHields has no explosiveness and thats gonna cost him bigtime in this fight..GSP has him beaten every area imo..
i still see it being an entertaining fight just to finally shut up the SHields fanboys..
Shields v. GSP? What is he smoking?
Agree that GSP will probably take Shields down at least a few times, just to break Jake's will by showing that he has nothing for GSP on the ground either.
BTW, Jake might want to watch some of GSP's older fights because he had zero problems sprawling out of Kos' tight single-leg and Karo couldn't do shit to him with clinch work (yes, I think he tossed or tripped GSP once but couldn't do anything with it).
Shields was not even confident enough to take down Fitch in a grappling match. He pulled guard
Maybe that's his plan here. He is perfectly comfortable off his back and has good sweeps.
The problem that Shields will have, that most of GSP's recent opponents have had, is that they prepare for the GSP they know, and then a different, more evolved GSP shows up for the fight. I'm sure that GSP will eventually hit a ceiling due to either age or injury, but so far that hasn't been the case. When in doubt, he is still skilled enough to play it safe, which is boring as hell, but so far has resulted in many more wins than losses.
I can't wait for this fight. On paper obviously GSP is a big favorite, but I don't count Shields out though, no one thought he could beat Hendo either.
I'm disappointed that his strategy is to get him down and not get punched. To me that = hold him down and don't do much of anything. sighhhhhhhh...
...but for the fact that St. Pierre is gonna blast him and that game plan will never happen in a thousand tries.
The real Pillow fist has spoken.
Good luck with that.
GSP by K.O.
Shields is going to get wrecked the only way he could get GSP down is maybe pulling guard from the clinch...and he won't be able to sweep him
rosario02 - I heard GSP was considering not training for the fight or handicapping it somewhat (arm behind the back, etc) <img src="/images/phone/post_tag.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/>
blindfold
Stylisitically, he probably does fare better. Unlike Fitch, Kos, and others - I can't imagine him engaging GSP standing at all. Even if he's not completing takedowns, I can imagine him floundering and trying to pull guard instead of trying to trade.
GSP's going to probably finish him by round 3 - but I like his odds of actually succeeding at his gamplan more than Fitch or Kos.
EvilMaster - GSP always takes the fight to where his opponent is weakest. So, I expect Georges to just keep it standing and smash Jake's face with kicks, punches, elbows, knees all night. Shields probably won't score a single take down. And will probably be finished in a similar fashion as Georges finished Serra in the second fight. Turtled up in a ball on the ground with Georges crushing in his rib cage with vicious knees.I was thinking something similar as well. I really see GSP dropping him and like you said, Sheilds turtling up while GSP rains down hell on Jake's ribs and head.
Shouldn't last more than 2 rounds.