UFC 129: St. Pierre vs. Shields confirmed, Couture vs. Machida in works

lol i bet shields tries to take gsp down! lol i think shields will o better than Josh b/c he has seen that jab gsp has, and he will train reallly hard..

Shields prolly does hve the best chance at WW to beat GSP....he mite not be able to take GSP down but he could pull guard on him n work of his bck for subs n sweeps....that being said I still think GSP is going to be too much for him, I dont see anyone beating GSP rite now

Honestly Shields guard isn't all that good, Shields is the most dangerous guy in mma to have on top of you but that is also his entire game. He has decent takedowns, horrible striking, decent guard and superb top game. I don't see anyway that Shields beats GSP unless GSP goes for to many takedowns and get caught in a guillotine.

gsp is notorious for beating the crap out of people through guard. that is a bad strategy. his only chance is if he can put gsp on his back.

Shields has some of the highest take down accuracy in MMA. He isn't flashy or explosive but once he grabs a leg it is a foregone conclusion; you are going down. I guarantee he will take GSP down. Barring an early KO this will be the most even fight we have ever seen GSP in.

guys dis is such a mismatch its on real mark my words, shields is two slow, stand up is the worst ever, and cardio looked tested againist kampman, i see dis a total dominate performance for gsp, sheilds is tailor made for him

I disagree and here's why.



I think technically Shields wrestling may be almost at the same level as Koscheck's. His groundgame is unarguably vastly superior. However, his striking is nowhere near as good as Koscheck's and he does not have enough time to catch up. Also, I don't think he is as athletic as Koscheck.



If he does take GSP down, his ground game could pose a threat to GSP, because he is a world-class grappler. However, I don't think he has the athleticism needed to get GSP to the ground (which Koscheck did, at least once).



I think that because of his submission skills, he has the best chance in the welterweight division to actually finish GSP, but I also think that chance is miniscule. While Koscheck lost a dominating decision, he did better than Alves, Fitch, Hardy, Penn and a lot of good fighters (never knocked down, no submission attempts, and actually got a takedown).



GSP as he has said 1000s of times, ALWAYS TAKES FIGHTERS WHERE THEY ARE WEAKEST. For Shields, that is on the feet. GSP will not have to give him the same respect standing as he did Kos, because Shields does not KO power like Kos. I see GSP absolutely destroying Shields on the feet, avoiding the groundgame completely, and stopping him in the 3rd or 4th round.

load of noddles, gsp will finish or completely dominate shields, and josh wud do the same to shields

I agree with a lot of what you said. I think you are making a HUGE mistake regarding Jake Shields ability to get GSP down. You said he doesn't have the athleticism but I think you are really referring to his style. Shields does not use explosive take downs and so a lot of people think he isn't athletic but it isn't about that. He is very athletic he just prefers to latch on to a single and use leverage to take guys down instead of power and explosion. The thing to look at is his high take down percentages. The guy does not get stuffed very often.

Thing about Jake Shields is although he is good on the ground and great at controlling people there, he hasn't actually submitted anyone with a decent ground game, with the exception of maybe Mike Pyle. It is quite likely that he can do to GSP what he did to Hendo and Mayhem, but I think once again GSPs game planning will enable him to avoid that and he'll get the W, although he may lose a round or two.

That's kind of how I see it too. I think that Shields will get a lot of take downs and win a round or two but that GSP will eak out a decision. There is always the possibility that GSP will get a KO or rock Shields and jump on a sub and I wouldn't be overly shocked if Shields pulled out the W but all in all I agree.

I have watched Shields fight for several years now and have great respect for him as a fighter. Of course he is very athletic; he is a world-class fighter, but he is not as athletic as GSP or even Kos.



I do not think Shields' takedown style will be effective against GSP because in order to use it, he has to close the distance first. GSP's quickness, reach advantage, and much higher level of striking than Shields will make it extremely difficult for Shields to close the distance.



The thing to look at is GSP's high takedown defense percentage. The guy does not get taken down very often.

Noone really tries to take him down, it's he other way around usually and the division is full of strikers

not to mention his questionable gas tank at 170, and that was in a 3 rounder. if he's in the same kinda shape against gsp for 5 rounds, he has absolutly no chance whatsoever.

fitch

That's not completely true.



Fitch tried to take GSP down. He went 0 for 5.



Koscheck in both his fights. He went a combined 2 for 8.



Those are the two best wrestlers at 170.



BJ Penn also had his only takedown attempt stuffed.



Matt Hughes was 0 for 3 in his last fight with GSP.



Serra, Hardy and Alves did not attempt takedowns against GSP.



Since getting knocked out by Serra, GSP has defended 15 of 17 takedown attempts. The only man to take him down has been Kos. So maybe Shields gets one takedown. It might win him a round- maybe; It's not going to win him the fight.

Shields gonna get KO'd Couture is gonna find out how old he really is plain and simple two mismatches

I'm a believer every time Randy come out to fight he comes prepare to win and doesn't matter how old he is I still believe this time he can take Machida.

not sure if gsp has the power in his hands to ko someone, tko is a possibility though. while shields may have the edge in grappling, but he has been stuffed before by henderson (who seemed to just fade away as the rounds wore on, i think cutting to 185 took a lot away from his cardio) and his striking was seriously exposed in that fight (he just about survived the opening assault from hendo) and the kampmann fight where he got rocked twice.



gsp has superior striking to shilelds and is the more well rounded fighter. this is mma, not a wrestling match. shields has been able to get past the last few using his wrestling but i believ his striking will be exposed against gsp (just as koscheck's was) and it will finally cost him a fight.



the reason gsp is so dominant is because he is so well rounded. shields has a lot of potential but he can never be a true mixed martial artist until he fixes the obvious holes in his standup. this ought to be a relatively straightforward win for gsp.

If there is a way, there is Randy

Machida is the guy to hate right now. Truth be told couture had a better chance against shogun

Madnesstill, with all do respect u are dumb@ss of the year

big respect to machida, he was unlucky to lose against rampage and as much as i love randy i fancy the dragon for this one.

Shields looks likes he's taking a dump while GSP admires his tenacity to push...



but on a serious note, my hope is that this will not be a wrestling match and GSP will actually stand and finish Shields. It needs to be done - too many haters hating.

This comment made my day hahaha!

Hey someone changed the pic haha!!! Put it back!

This fight will stay on the feet for sure. I'm not sure if GSP will knock Jake out but he will definitely beat him up. And as for Lyoto and Randy, I think Lyoto will be way to fast for him.

I tell you the truth. I think Mr. Couture has a great chance of beating Mr. Machida by using his wrestling skills taking Mr. Machida down and utilize some lay and pray and dirty box his way to victory. Ohh I love jello pudding.

It is good to hear it confirmed, but I had little doubt it GSP and Shields would happen...barring a training or horseback riding injury.



While Lyoto and Couture is an interesting match-up, if the UFC is smart, and they want to fill more than 40, 000 seats--they will have to do better than that.



Maybe Aldo and x or the rematch between Frankie and Gray. And Wandy and Sonnen or Stann and even more.



Because of the size of the venue and the unprecedented size of the crowd expected, it is good marketing for the UFC to put their best foot foward in this event.



The same with the Rio Event in August. But the UFC Rio will have little trouble in getting the sickest card ever.

I would love to see Randy upset Machida and get 1 last title shot, buti can see him getting badly hurt by Machida. GSP v Shields should be a decent match but i'm too excited about this fight, Sheilds can only win this fight in 1 way he has excellent BJJ but GSP will know exactly what to expect and has nothing else to worry about other than that. As long GSP is savvy IF he gets takendown he'll get a dominant win like he usually does.

This will be a good way for Couture to go out, win or loss.



GSP is just to versatile and well rounded for Shields. It's never smart to count a fighter, but GSP is just too good for a GREAT ground guy with pretty weak stand up.

I know to some of you Couture/Machida seems like a mismatch, but I will never doubt in Couture. I wouldn't put it past him to pull it off. What do you guys think would happen if he did?

If Randy wins I think the UFC will give him a title shot. If he loses I think he might retire. I give him a 60% chance of winning.

Man that's a high percentage. And I definitely think they will throw him in the title mix if he wins.

Yeah, it's high. Randy just wears on people. I think that Randy will get the clinch and not let go. I think Machida wins by KO OR Randy gets the decision. Those are the only two ways I see this going.

I'd love if Couture had one more shot at the title

Machida is crazy if he takes a fight with Couture. Nothing to win, alot to lose.



Shields will only beat GSP if GSP makes a bad mistake on the ground, which is possible, but unlikely. very likely Shields will get owned.

Jake Shields has won so many fights in a row, therefore I have no reason to go against him.

And GSP hasn't?

Both of you have good points but someone has to lose haha.

GSP will beat Shields 9 out of 10 times if not 10 out of 10. Shields has fantastic top game but everything is bad or decent and if you think Shields can get top position on GSP you are dreaming.

9-10? Well if the fight happened Shield wouldnt beat him now, he still has a 4 more months left to get ready and improve. Shields is a good wrestler and a submissioner (if such a word), his stand up is pretty good to. Im pretty sure he is going to train his ass off for this title fight and all those skills will probobly improve dramaticly if he does.



Well i think he has a much better chance to beat GSP than all the other WW's, not saying for certain he is going to win just saying he has a good chance. However it will be interesting to see how he handles GSP, its mma you never know what is going to happen.

@Nik

In this fight we know exactly what will happen in this fight, Sheilds only has 1 way to win and will have to force GSP in a mistake to sub him what are the chances of him actually winning considering what GSP has in his Arsenal.

"his stand up is pretty good to"....he doesnt have any stand up. chances are he wont get on top either, if kos could only take gsp down once then shields will have just as hard of a time.

Kos had 2 takedowns, why does everyone keep saying he only had 1.

It's kind of funny. Everyone says that Shields stand up sucks and it does. That said, if you watch his fights, he is really good at using little tapping punches to get inside on much "superior" strikers and get the take down. Also, his kicks aren't horrible.

@nik "his standup is pretty good too"



...bahahaahahahhaa!



oh mercy. maybe watch his last 2 fights and get back to me

I think GSP will win this stylistically it seems a harsh matchup for Sheilds to have someone so hard to control and with better cardio.

If Couture would win Machida he should fight winner of Evans vs Shogun. That way he could retire with belt of with number 1 contender status. I just dont know who I want to win that fight. Love both fighters.

I dont exacly know what you mean when you say "If Couture wins Machida will fight winner of Evans vs Shogun". Realisticly if Couture won he would fight the winner of Evans vs. Shogun.

Shields vs GSP: I think GSP will bring something new to his game maybe more leg kicks or even dirty boxing as GSP has proven in the pass few fights he will bring a new weapon in so don't be surprise if GSP knocks out Shields. I don't think GSP has knocked any one out lately?



Couture vs Machida: I think Machida NEEDS to win this so expect for Machida to engage more and even push the fight 2 loses in a row will really do something to his mind I mean to be undefeated for so long then 2 straight lost might force Machida to look at his fighting style..

GSP's powerful jabs and great GNP game will finish Shields off the same way he has been finishing his past fights.

Shields getting a shot after one lackluster UFC performance is sickening enough, and more proof that the UFC is all about promotion and money. Given that I hope GSP knocks out Shield's huge white bucky beaver teeth.

i'm out of word to predict gsp vs shields matchup,hahaha

I'm love Randy, but this is ridiculous. If he's retiring, not sure if he wants to be champ and even if he did, how long would he stay, even if?



To me, this fight is / would be a waste of Machida's time. What is the real point of it?



I'm all for RC fighting and think the world of him as not only a fighter, but as a man. He's one of my biggest heroes in MMA; if not my biggest. However, if he's not prepared to say...I'm in for the long haul, I still want to compete and become champ...then, truly, what is the point?



I love the guy, maybe it will be a good fight, but that's all it "might" be and Lyoto isn't Brandon Vera or James Toney. He is a top shelf fighter with serious skills and power and if LM lights RC up, what will be the point of that - a pay check? I'm not against the fight, per se, I'm just against, what I perceive to be, RC's lack of commitment to a long term game plane, here. Is he or is he not retiring? Make up your mind.

@WingChun



The answer is in your last paragraph. It's the money. Remember almost everything has to do with money. Randy has absolutely nothing to prove. Not everyone particularly likes him but everyone one respects him. He has held the belt in 2 weight classes and he is a legend of the sport. He has to be doing this for money in my opinion. Maybe not just the money for that fight even though that will be a big check, but maybe to keep up appearances and exposure for his other businesses.

I agree with you, it is the obvious reason and it is not even considered as a major factor.



Randy will make a million dollars plus for that fight including PPV. Crap, I would fight Machida for a million dollars any day. So I get KTFO'd, I'd wake up a millionaire.



Does anyone think Machida doesn't want more cash? Why do you think he wants to fight Couture? Sure, he respects a legend, but he also respects the PPV numbers the legend will pull in. Machida has been LHW champ--and you never know, he might be again--but he wants to fight a PPV name fighter on a giant card. Not only will Machida make tons of cash, but the fight will be remembered.

Couture owns a world renowned gym and has other investments bringing him in plenty of cash. He doesn't need the pay check.

You don't have to NEED a million dollars to WANT ANOTHER million dollars for a couple of months worth of work.



It never ceases to amaze me how some fans underestimate the power of money in a fighter's decision-making.

Randy is gonna have to start drinking his own urine quick if he wants any chance against Machida.



Seriously though, I really think Randy has a legitimate chance at winning a decision against Lyoto. As far as GSP goes, I have no doubt he will defeat Jake Shields.

I thought he tweeted that he retired

Here's an idea, try reading the article!!

if GSP comes in there with the gameplan to standup with him and use the ground game when needed then Jake has no chance. Jakes striking is not on the same level. I do see Jake being able to take him down but i dnt kno how long GSP will stay there. GSP by KO 3rd rnd.

if shields come like he did against kampmann, it would be the easiest fight of gsp in the ufc.

doubt he'd **** up with cutting that much weight twice. if so then he should go back to 185.

Shields is gonna find out what its like to be forced to stand and trade

GSP by KO round 1

I'm hoping tickets won't be $200+ for a venue that can hold 60,000 people. I want a ticket!!

One of 2 scenarios will ocur after the Shields/GSP fight. One, GSP wins and all the Strikeforce haters will come out to scream out how much better the competition in the UFC is, and the only reason Shields did so well was because he wasn't fighting the best. Two, Shields wins and all the Dana White haters come out to scream about how hes wrong about anything he says and the UFC doesn't have the best talent. Either way, I'm going to enjoy this fight and all the comments to happen after. :)

ooh man.. i hope so much GSP gives him the worst ass whoopin

the UFC has ever seen... so everybody shuts the **** up!!!

inclouding dana white for overhyping that idiot jake shilds!!!!!



you will see...

Here is how I see it:



1. Randy fought Toney and Coleman and made some money, but the cards were not huge--or the payout--and there was little status to the fights.



2. So Randy publicly announces that he wants to retire (again)--unless Shogun or Machida are available. These fighters are high enough in the standings to make a bout significant and well-paying. A fight with Rampage would be a bad matchup and Shogun was out of reach.



3. Fans twitter Dana that this is a fight they are interested in. (Shogun had already expressed interest in fighting Couture--Why? Couture's name and money) but Machida, coming off of his loss to Rampage was ready and willing.



4. Dana needed to fill in the Toronto card fast, after Cain announced his injury.

I keep seeing these type of comments... Isn't entirely possible that Couture respects both Rua and Machida and they , in turn, respect a legend like Randy? And therefore, the fight is something that interests them? I personally have a hard time believing that Couture is in some kind of need for money... He is coming off fights from 2010, he is making movies, he has a hugely successful gym, etc etc.



Maybe, just maybe, he wants to fight those guys because they are top tier fighters and Randy just doesn't want to look back and wonder how he would have done had he pushed for the title one last time. I know Machida isnt the champ, but beating him would give Randy an idea of how he would have faired even if he decides not to continue from there.... And if he loses, obviously that answers the question.