UFC welterweight champion St. Pierre (21-2 MMA, 15-2 UFC) will look to defend his belt for the sixth-consecutive time against a very formidable opponent in Shields (26-4-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) at UFC 129.Georges St-Pierre = born May 19, 1981 often referred to as GSP, is a Canadian mixed martial artist and the current Welterweight Champion of the UFC He started learning Kyokushin karate at age seven from his father and later from a Kyokushin Karate Master to defend himself against a school bully.He took up wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after his karate teacher died and also trained in boxing. Before turning pro as a mixed-martial artist, St-Pierre worked as a bouncer at a Montreal night club in the South Shore called Fuzzy Brossard and as a garbageman for six months to pay for his school fees.
Although Shields would be making only his second fight in the octagon, his experience in title fights and against top-flight opponents is expected to come in handy on Saturday when he faces off with St-Pierre. Shields’ resume includes wins over Rob Lawler and Dan Henderson. The 32-year-old American even defeated top welterweights Carlos Condit and Yushin Okami in the same night back in 2006. The odds are leaning toward St-Pierre, with Shields expected to climb the octagon a 3-1 underdog.
However, if there is anyone who doesn’t believe the odds, it is St-Pierre himself, who clearly respects the capabilities of his opponent. “I’m fighting a much better guy, but I welcome the challenge…I consider Jake like a champion, too. He’s been a champion in many different organizations and different weight classes — something I’ve never done,” St-Pierre said. Shields, on the other hand, said that the opportunity to beat St-Pierre is something bigger than winning the UFC welterweight title. “Getting the UFC belt means a lot to me, but beating George St. Pierre means so much more…He’s the guy I wanna get the belt from,” Shields said.
Providing solid appetizers for the mouthwatering headliner are several matchups that could easily be main events in another night. In the main supporting fight, Jose Aldo, formerly of WEC, will defend his UFC featherweight belt against Mark Hominick. Also in the cards is the lightweight-heavyweight match between Vladimir Matyushenko and Jason Brilz, as well as the swan song of UFC hall of famer Randy Couture, who plans to retire after his match against Lyoto Machida.
