Pros Pick: St. Pierre vs. Shields

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Mike Ciesnolevicz: I am not a GSP fan; never have been, never will be. I pray that Shields submits him, but, likely, GSP is going to notch another decision. I think Shields has a much better shot at beating Anderson Silva than he does to beat GSP. Shields is big, strong and explosive at middleweight. At 170, Shields seems weaker and slower and his cardio suffers. I believe he cuts too much weight, and it will be his downfall. GSP wins this fight by one-sided decision, using his jab effectively.

Benji Radach: I’m pulling for my boy Shields. He has the work ethic to stop anyone if they slip at all. GSP may have a few more ways to end this fight. However, I don’t think Jake is taking him lightly and he’s doing everything in life to take on the monster, like visualizing his past career, his struggles, hardships and triumphs and putting this all together for this one fight that he has been dreaming of for years. I talked to him about a year ago in Vegas, and we talked about this very fight. I see Shields at his best ever. GSP best be ready.

Tom Gavrilos: This is the most exciting matchup that can be made in the division right now. From what I saw, Shields does not enjoy standing and avoided it at all costs when he fought [Jason] “Mayhem” [Miller]. I’m 100 percent sure GSP saw that video. Unlike with Mayhem, Shields’ wrestling will not be enough to take and keep GSP down. Shields is too one-dimensional for someone with as complete a game as GSP. He has to submit GSP; it’s his only chance, and, unless he somehow stuns him first, I just can’t see it. Look for GSP to keep it standing and put Shields on his back a few times for points and maybe some safe ground-and-pound. Shields has heart in spades and won’t just go away easily, so I have to go with GSP by decision.

Michael Guymon: I know everyone and their mother is taking GSP over Shields. I’m going with Jake. This fight will hit the ground one way or the other, whether it be Shields taking GSP down or GSP taking down Shields. [In] either scenario, I see Jake physically turning into an octopus and submitting George -- the end.

Adam Singer: This fight scares the hell out of me. Does GSP play it safe like he did with Koscheck? This could be a boring 25 minutes. Can Shields take this fight to the ground and capitalize? Which Shields shows up? Right now, my gut says five-round decision for GSP, but I sure hope Shields turns this into a full-throttle scramble fest. Go Jake.

Keith Berry: GSP will win this fight by whatever he wants. I think Martin Kampmann beat Shields back in October, so I don’t think Jake has much of a chance. So my final answer is GSP by whatever the [expletive] he wants.

Brian Warren: I am looking forward to seeing this one. I really like the way both these guys are beating everyone in their way and they keep getting better as they compete in the highest level of MMA. They always fight the best out there. GSP is one of my favorite fighters; I like his style. But I fought Jake way back in the day, so part of me wants Jake to win so my stock in MMA goes up (laughs). I just want to see a good fight and both guys come out of it not hurt. If I had to make any prediction, I would say that we might see GSP on his back for the first time in a while, or Jake eating a lot of jabs and leg kicks. Final answer: GSP by a tough, hard-fought five-round fight.

Jeff Joslin: In the end, I think Georges wins this fight by using and sticking to a very solid game plan, which he always seem to do so well. Here’s how I see this fight going down: GSP will use a lot of movement early in the fight, looking to strike hard and fast with jabs and crosses. I don’t see him throwing a lot of kicks initially while Shields is fresh and still explosive with his takedown attempts. If he is able to land those strikes often on Shields -- which I believe he will -- I see him then driving in hard for the takedown and getting the top position. I don’t believe he will finish Shields, but if Jake gets back up to his feet, I see the same sequence of events happening over and over again. GSP by TKO due to strikes from accumulative damage or unanimous decision.

Ron Foster: Shields has amazing BJJ. Too bad it won’t help him on the feet, though. We have all seen the stellar takedown defense that GSP has, and I doubt that Shields will be able to get him to the ground without sustaining a ton of damage. In my opinion, this fight will look like a sparring match, with GSP landing pop shots for the first two rounds and Shields trying his best to close the distance. Shields will begin to gas badly by the third round after struggling to get the fight to the mat and being unsuccessful. I think the third is where GSP will really pick up the pace and try to make a statement by taking out a battered and beaten Shields. GSP has a lot of critics for not finishing fights lately, but I think he will silence them all with a dominating TKO victory over a game but overmatched Shields. I have a ton of respect for what Shields has done in his MMA career, but he has never faced a fighter with the tools and skills that the much faster GSP will bring to the table. GSP retains the UFC welterweight title with a TKO stoppage by ground-and-pound.

Ryan Ciotoli: I am going with St. Pierre because he has a distinct advantage in the striking department. I think the grappling will cancel itself out. Shields is going to get picked off on the feet and loose a unanimous decision.

Brad Pickett: I think it will be an easy win for GSP. He is so well-rounded; it makes him so comfortable wherever it goes. As for Jake, he is great on the floor and has good wrestling with no standup, really, so it will be hard for him to set up a takedown. I see GSP taking him down and putting him on his back like he did with Serra, and I don’t think Jake is as good on his back.

Stephane Vigneault: GSP will have a tougher fight [than] people think but will win a unanimous decision by outstriking Shields and because of his athleticism.

Chance Farrar: When applicable, I always root for the American. Unfortunately, Shields’ cardio at 170 pounds is still suspect. Throw in GSP’s standup advantage -- note, his jab -- with his already stellar takedown defense, and it makes him a clear winner. But like I said, go USA.

Pete Spratt: The major question for me is will Jake overcome his conditioning issues for this fight? This will be a great test for him, as we all know of GSP’s great conditioning, athleticism and well roundedness. With that being said, if Jake has solved his cardio issues, then it will be GSP by unanimous decision. If he hasn’t, then GSP by stoppage in the third round.

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