MARSH: Jake Shields' confirmed title shot against GSP a disappointment with mega fight between GSP and Silva on the mind

By: Griffin Marsh, MMATorch Contributor

Last Saturday night Georges St. Pierre showed why he is the greatest welterweight of all time. Georges came out and strategically used his boxing to dominate the heavy handed wrestler, Josh Koscheck. After the dominant performance, many in the MMA world were calling for the mega fight between GSP and Anderson Silva, but unfortunately we are stuck with Jake Shields vs GSP.

While amassing an impressive 15 fight win streak, Shields has looked anything but impressive in his last two outings. In his last two bouts Shields won a unanimous decision against 39 year old Dan Henderson and a split decision against Martin Kampmann. In his fight with Henderson, Shields survived some big punches that nearly finished him and was clearly gassed late in the fight. It also appeared as if it took all he had to continue the fight for most of the latter part of his fight with Kampmann.

Nevertheless, Jake Shields is a winner. However, Shields isn't fighting a 39 year old man who cut way too much weight or a skinny kickboxer. He is fighting the best welterweight of all time, nd I just do not see any way Shields can pull out a victory.

Shields undoubtably is an elite MMA grappler. He is a three time Grapplers Quest Advanced Champion and finished third at the ADCC Submission Grappling tournament in 2005. While being an accomplished grappler, he is a mere novice with his standup striking. Time and time again Shields has shown he must take the fight to the ground to win, after being out-struck on his feet.

To his credit, Shields has controlled the fight once he gets his opponent down. The problem is he will not be able to control GSP should he get him to the mat, and will have trouble getting the champion down in the first place. Once the fight hits the mat, there is no guarantee it will be at all advantageous for Shields as GSP has more than enough size, strength, skill and athletic ability to turn the tables on the challenger and impose his will.

I cannot help but feel disappointed once I heard the news that UFC President Dana White had confirmed Shields will still receive the shot at the welterweight title. Like every other MMA fan in the world I'm hoping for the mega fight between Anderson Silva and GSP. Unfortunately it looks as if it will not happen anytime soon, and it is just merely a fight we all hope to someday see. Let's just hope that the UFC truly opens up to the idea of having the mega fight after GSP destroys Jake Shileds.

Questions? Comments? Contact Me: andysilvanumber1@yahoo.com

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/Staff_Editorials_19/article_7850.shtml

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