UFC 129 - St-Pierre Vs. Shields

[Deledio_Judd]

Welterweight Championship bout: Georges St-Pierre (c) vs. Jake Shields
Featherweight Championship bout: José Aldo (c) vs. Mark Hominick
Light Heavyweight bout: Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida


Who do you think will be the winners on the 30th of April, 2011?

 

[alfy!]

only three fights on the card..? :/

 

[RobbyRoy]

Kind of obvious to me but they could all be great fights.

 

[Deledio_Judd]

only three fights on the card..? :/

Yes.... haha, these three fights would obviously be the most anticipated fights on the card:

Main Card
Welterweight Championship bout: Georges St-Pierre (c) vs. Jake Shields
Featherweight Championship bout: José Aldo (c) vs. Mark Hominick
Light Heavyweight bout: Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida
Light Heavyweight bout: Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz
Lightweight bout: Mark Bocek vs. Ben Henderson

Preliminary Card (Spike TV)
Welterweight bout: Nate Diaz vs. Rory MacDonald
Welterweight bout: Sean Pierson vs. Brian Foster

Preliminary Card
Featherweight bout: Yves Jabouin vs. Pablo Garza
Welterweight bout: Claude Patrick vs. Daniel Roberts
Bantamweight bout: Ivan Menjivar vs. Charlie Valencia
Middleweight bout: Jason MacDonald vs. Ryan Jensen
Lightweight bout: John Makdessi vs. Kyle Watson

 

[Guy Threepwood]

I don't see an upset occurring in any of the three discussed so far. The challengers' best skills (wrestling for Shields, striking for Hominick) should easily be matched by the champs in the two title fights, while Machida should be too good for Couture.

 

[Deledio_Judd]

I can see Shields submitting GSP. GSP's takedown defence is awesome though, and I doubt that he will try to take it to the ground with Shield's strong submission game, so on that basis GSP should be able to stand with him and grind out a unanimous decision. DEC.

Aldo is a beast and one of my favourite fighters to watch in the UFC, and can't see him losing to Hominick. KO.

Couture and Machida I think will be a lot closer than people think, Couture matches up pretty good with him, but Machida's speed and ability to leap in and out will be too much I feel. Hopefully Couture does a good enough job to convince himself to go around again for another fight because he is a legend. DEC.

 

[Spadge]

Its strange. Im usually pumped for title fights but the GSP v Shields one is underwhelming.
Im not seeing anything that Shields can bring that would bother GSP in the slightest although GSPs lack of finishing lately could see this go the distance and be fairly boring
I hope im wrong and GSP destroys him.

Aldo vs Hominick should be an interesting battle but i do expect Aldo to KTFO Hominick

Randy vs Lyoto is a very interesting matchup If Randy can get him and keep him on the ground i think he can win, but i think with Machidas speed and agility he should be able to keep it standing and will pick him apart

 

[alfy!]

Can't wait to see Aldo fight in the UFC, nice to introduce him to some of my friends!

 

[the_interloper]

With GSP and Shields i'm seeing a GSP-Koscheck 2. GSP won't want to take it to the ground with Shields as his AJJ D) will be a concern so he'll keep it standing, jab jab jab kick kick jab jab jab to a decision i think.

Excited to see Aldo fight, only seen him on youtube before and he looks great, exciting and dangerous. I'm hoping KFlo can win at his first fight down in featherweight and set up a fight with Aldo. And watching some of Aldo's old fights make me wish for soccer kicks to be allowed in the UFC, **** me he was awesome at them!

And Couture - Machida, should be a Machida decision win through TDD and superior striking, you'd never count Randy out of any fight though. If Machida did lose his next fight might be a fight night as weird as that sounds.

 

[jimmyclean]

Its strange. Im usually pumped for title fights but the GSP v Shields one is underwhelming.
Im not seeing anything that Shields can bring that would bother GSP in the slightest although GSPs lack of finishing lately could see this go the distance and be fairly boring

Shields is probably THE best jiu jitsu successful MMA practioner.

In my opinion there is a small chance that Shields just rolls GSP without incident.

GSP's guard is arguably the worst part of his game, he has defeated class wrestlers and strikers, but apart from BJ Penn, (who has an average guard himself and being smaller was always less likely to take top position) GSP hasn't beaten many bjj specialists.

 

[Spadge]

GSPs takedown defense is generally very good and theres a high probability that this fight wont get near the ground. Shields doesnt like to stand and i can see GSP dictating where this fight goes, and interloper is right... i can just see the jab coming out to play again and just strike his way to a decision

Shields chin hasnt been tested much so it will be interesting to see if he can stand and cop it as much as Kos did

 

[Majinbuu]

GSP GSP GSP GSP!

Win and then fight Anderson Silva, and get the middleweight title

 

[Ross]

Shields is probably THE best jiu jitsu successful MMA practioner.

He's really good, but I wouldn't say the best. Maia and Jacare would both tap him. Remember that he was about to get choked out by Mayhem and only got saved by the round ending.

 

[Big Daddy M]

Totally agree, the BJJ of Maia and Jacare is far superior to Shileds. Shields has been horribly over hyped by the UFC and this match has the potential to be a complete snooze fest.

I think it will play out similar to to the GSP v Koschek fight but I am hoping GSP might ramp it up a bit a hunt for the KO a bit more.

He will give Shields fits on the feet and if Koschek couldn't take him down then I don't like Shields chances at all.

Aldo will beat the snot out of Hominick, Hominick is game and capable but IMO out classed here and Aldo will be looking to put his stamp on the UFC.

I think Randy and Machida will be really interesting. If Randy can force the clinch he should be able to do well but Machida obviously has a big advantage in the striking and will be looking to avoid the clinch.

I think Macdonald v Jensen could be an entertaining one as well.

 

[jimmyclean]

Remember that he was about to get choked out by Mayhem and only got saved by the round ending.

The difference there is Mayhem is a big middleweight.

GSP doesn't have that size advantage and I don't think he posses better jiu jitsu than Mayhem.

Another thing Jake Shields has over other jiu jitsu specialists in the past is the ability to take the fight to the ground, his opponents know to keep the fight standing, yet they cant. GSP is good at defending takedowns but Jake Shields doesn't do takedowns like anyone else he has fought. A sprawl will only do so much against someone who is cranking you knee the wrong way.

 

[RU_]

Bader vs Ortiz?

 

[gytre]

Main Card
Welterweight Championship bout: Georges St-Pierre (c) vs. Jake Shields - Like others here, I can see GSP basically doing to Shields what he did to Koschek. After five rounds of beating, Shields will likely have a very messed up face, but I doubt he'll be knocked out. GSP by easy decision.
Featherweight Championship bout: José Aldo (c) vs. Mark Hominick - I'd love Hominick to win, but can't see it happening. Aldo is just too well-rounded. Aldo by sub in the 2nd.
Light Heavyweight bout: Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida - Because of the styles this should definitely be an interesting fight. I'm going to go for Machida to get in a punch that knocks Randy out. Probably late in the fight. Randy has said this fight will be his last and that he wants to go out on his terms. We shall see whether he sticks to that. I am skeptical. He's also said he's the best fighter he's ever been.
Light Heavyweight bout: Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz - Brilz was absolutely robbed in his fight against Little Nog and I expect him to be too good here. Wins by RNC.
Lightweight bout: Mark Bocek vs. Ben Henderson - BJJ specialist Bocek to continue to roll along. Submits Henderson in the first, hopefully setting up a match with Sots.

Preliminary Card (Spike TV)
Welterweight bout: Nate Diaz vs. Rory MacDonald - There's been some big wraps on Rory MacDonald lately, so I'll tip him to win a decision.
Welterweight bout: Sean Pierson vs. Jake Ellenberger - Pierson looks a talent, but Jake by decision.

Preliminary Card
Featherweight bout: Yves Jabouin vs. Pablo Garza - Don't know.
Welterweight bout: Claude Patrick vs. Daniel Roberts - Roberts by sub.
Bantamweight bout: Ivan Menjivar vs. Charlie Valencia - Don't know.
Middleweight bout: Jason MacDonald vs. Ryan Jensen - I'm really excited about the return of my favourite fighter J-Mac, following his shocking leg injury. And what a way to do it, with 55,000 screaming Canadian fans cheering you on. He won't let them down. Wins by RNC.
Lightweight bout: John Makdessi vs. Kyle Watson - Watson by decision.

 

[mickelboy182]

Foster is out for Ellenberger, was announced a fair while ago.

 

[yeah_nah]

cbfed with reasons

Main Card
Welterweight Championship bout: Georges St-Pierre (c) vs. Jake Shields

Featherweight Championship bout: José Aldo (c) vs. Mark Hominick - KO of Night

Light Heavyweight bout: Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida

Light Heavyweight bout: Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz

Lightweight bout: Mark Bocek vs. Ben Henderson - Sub of night

Preliminary Card (Spike TV)
Welterweight bout: Nate Diaz vs. Rory MacDonald - Fight of Night

Welterweight bout: Sean Pierson vs. Jake Ellenberger

Cbfed doing prelims as well.

 

[gytre]

Foster is out for Ellenberger, was announced a fair while ago.

In that case I'll edit my earlier post. Thanks.

 

[Magnum]

The difference there is Mayhem is a big middleweight.

GSP doesn't have that size advantage and I don't think he posses better jiu jitsu than Mayhem.

Another thing Jake Shields has over other jiu jitsu specialists in the past is the ability to take the fight to the ground, his opponents know to keep the fight standing, yet they cant. GSP is good at defending takedowns but Jake Shields doesn't do takedowns like anyone else he has fought. A sprawl will only do so much against someone who is cranking you knee the wrong way.

Agreed, other than Mayhem being a big middlewieght. Certainly not compared to Anderson, Rich, Sonnen or Okami. His only fight in the UFC was at 170 and I wouldn't be suprised if he tried his hand down there again. Considering Marquardt is.

 

[jimmyclean]

Agreed, other than Mayhem being a big middlewieght. Certainly not compared to Anderson, Rich, Sonnen or Okami. His only fight in the UFC was at 170 and I wouldn't be suprised if he tried his hand down there again. Considering Marquardt is.

Mayhem walks around well over 200 lbs, he is a bigger man than when he fought GSP. I'd be shocked if he cut to 170.

 

[Guy Threepwood]

Main Card

Welterweight Championship bout: Georges St-Pierre vs. Jake Shields - This one wont be pretty. Shields' best bet is to get the fight to the ground and control GSP from top position and I can't see that happening. Georges has a huge advantage everywhere else and will pummel Shields for as long as the fight goes. I'm tipping he'll pick up the stoppage in the 2nd or 3rd.

Featherweight Championship bout: José Aldo vs. Mark Hominick - Pumped to see Aldo fight in the big show finally! Apparently is over all his injury issues and is primed for a big performance. I think he takes Hominick out early and violently.

Light Heavyweight bout: Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida - Will be sad to see Randy walk out of the cage for (probably) the last time and will be worse to see him walk out a loser. I think Machida will be way too fast and will eventually end the night violently. Randy's best bet is to do what he did against Vera, but Machida's footwork will likely keep him out of danger.

Light Heavyweight bout: Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz - I'm tipping we'll get a sloppy kickboxing fight between these two who's wrestling should cancel each other out. Not confident either way, but I get the feeling Vladdy might just edge a decision.

Lightweight bout: Mark Bocek vs. Ben Henderson - Bocek's wrestling is phenomenal and I think he'll be able to dictate where the fight goes. Bendo has been proven to be very hard to submit, but I think he'll get caught by Bocek in the 2nd or 3rd round.

Preliminary Card

Welterweight bout: Nate Diaz vs. Rory MacDonald - MacDonald via superior wrestling in this one. Diaz has struggled with guys with strong top games and MacDonald showed a great one against Condit. Diaz is always game and will be in it right until the end, but I think Rory takes this one via decision.

Welterweight bout: Sean Pierson vs. Jake Ellenberger -
This should be a good fight. I think Pierson will be able to stuff Jake's take downs initially, but will get worn out and dominated late on the ground. Will be close, but I think Jake will take a razor thin decision.

Featherweight bout: Yves Jabouin vs. Pablo Garza - No idea.

Welterweight bout: Claude Patrick vs. Daniel Roberts - Patrick has looked very impressive in his fights so far and I think he takes a wide decision here.

Bantamweight bout: Ivan Menjivar vs. Charlie Valencia - No idea.

Middleweight bout: Jason MacDonald vs. Ryan Jensen - Last chance for these two I'd imagine. Jensen is a more well rounded fighter and should be able to pick up the win here. I'm thinking by TKO in the 2nd.

Lightweight bout: John Makdessi vs. Kyle Watson -Tough fight to pick. Makdessi looked great on the feet while Watson has a strong ground game. Makdessi, training with GSP who coached Watson on TUF will likely have a fair insight in to Watson's game (they've also sparred in the past) and will likely have been drilling take down defense like crazy. Can see this one going either way, but think Makdessi keeps it on the feet and takes a decision.

 

[jus1986]

Any suggestions on where to watch live in Melbourne?

 

[Guy Threepwood]

The Inkerman Hotel and The Sandown Hotel are both showing it live off the top of my head. Check out a few of the pubs in your area with Foxtel connected and you should find one showing it if the two I mentioned aren't convenient for you.