Author: UFC News

Las Vegas, NV (USA) – How will the main event of the largest UFC® card in history play out? That is the question many fans across the world are pondering at this very moment. In anticipation of the historic welterweight title bout between champion Georges St-Pierre and challenger Jake Shields on Saturday, April 30 from Rogers Centre in Toronto, some of the world’s most recognizable figures gathered to offer their opinions on the outcome of the UFC 129 championship clash.

Below are some of the thoughts and predictions for the main event of UFC® 129: ST-PIERRE vs. SHIELDS:

SHANE VICTORINO, Gold Glove Centerfielder from the Philadelphia Phillies
Prediction: JAKE SHIELDS
“I’m gonna have to say ‘Rush’ is the favorite, but I won’t put it past Shields for an upset victory. Shields by submission!”

ARIEL HELWANI, MMA reporter, MMAFighting.com and Versus.com
Prediction: GEORGES ST-PIERRE
“Shields is as tough as they come, but I just can’t see him taking this fight to the ground, which is where he needs it to be. Even if he does score the odd takedown, he won’t be able to dominate GSP on the mat like he has against his previous opponents. GSP wins all five rounds due to superior striking and his solid takedown defense en route to a unanimous decision victory.”

DAVID HAYE, WBA Heavyweight boxing champion
Prediction: JAKE SHIELDS
“Shields is the underdog, but believe me, this is the year of the underdog. Just like when I KO Wladimir Klitschko in July, an underdog could send a stadium full of fans home very unhappy at UFC 129.”

MARK LA MONICA, Newsday (New York)
Prediction: GEORGES ST-PIERRE
“Picking GSP to win a fight is like picking all the favorites in March Madness. You may get sneered at for picking the obvious, but you usually finish in the money in your office pool.”

KEVIN IOLE, Yahoo! Sports
Prediction: JAKE SHIELDS
“I think Shields will take this. The fight will go to the ground at some point, and I think Shields has an advantage there. Jake is a different sort of fighter, a different sort of grappler, to the ones Georges has been beating. I think Georges is going to try to do what he did to Josh Koscheck and use his jab and strike from a long range, but I think at some point it will go to the ground and Shields will win.”

TABOO, Black Eyed Peas
Prediction: GEORGES ST-PIERRE
“GSP and Shields are both on top of their games, but I would have to give the edge to GSP. He’s got the Canadian home field advantage and I feel like it’s GSP’s time right now, but I gotta feeling that night’s gonna be a good night for the UFC.”

GARETH A. DAVIES, Daily Telegraph and ESPN
Prediction: JAKE SHIELDS
“All champions have to lose at some point and I think Shields has a style that makes him a serious threat to GSP. Shields was immense against Henderson but I’m hearing St-Pierre has been magnificent in training, which makes me hesitate to pick against him. I think this really could go either way; it is certainly the most intriguing GSP fight in years. I may change my mind once I see them at the weight-in but, right now, I am feeling the upset.”

J.S. GIGUERE, Goaltender, Toronto Maple Leafs, Stanley Cup winner
Prediction: GEORGES ST-PIERRE
“I have to go with GSP, he’s just too well rounded. Plus I have to go with the Quebec guy.”

NEIL DAVIDSON, The Canadian Press
PREDICTION: GEORGES ST-PIERRE
“The champion is a savvy fighter with a lot of weapons. Some say he plays it safe, but he wins fights and dominates opponents. Shields is tough and durable but he does not have GSP’s arsenal. One mistake could cost the champion, but otherwise look for a comprehensive GSP victory by decision.”

SERGIO NON, USA Today:
Prediction: GEORGES ST-PIERRE
“Jake Shields’ advantage is his top game in grappling, but to use it, he’ll need to keep GSP on his back. He won’t. St-Pierre wins by third-round TKO.”

CHUCK LIDDELL, UFC Hall of Famer
Prediction: JAKE SHIELDS
“Jake Shields is a bad man. He’s a tough guy, he’s awkward to deal with and he uses stuff that is so different to other guys that he catches opponents off guard. He’s got awkward takedowns that are hard to defend. So it’s going to be an interesting fight for St-Pierre. But I do think that Jake will need to get it to the ground to win. I’m picking Jake to submit him.”

CHEF MICHAEL SYMON, Food Network’s Iron Chef America and host of Food Feuds
Prediction: GEORGES ST-PIERRE
“I’m saying St-Pierre. He is technically just too good.”

MATT HUGHES, UFC Hall of Famer and former two-time UFC welterweight champion
Prediction: GEORGES ST-PIERRE
“GSP will win fairly easy. I think this fight will go much the same way the GSP-Koscheck fight went. GSP is the better wrestler, the better striker, and he will be able to control and dominate wherever the fight goes. I really just don’t see any way that Shields is going to be able to win this fight.”

NOEL CLARKE, BAFTA-winning film director and actor
Prediction: JAKE SHIELDS
“I’m gonna go out on a limb and pick Shields. GSP has all the tools to beat him, but for me, he is at a psychological disadvantage. He hasn’t finished anyone in a while and he showed that frustration after the Koscheck fight. If Shields can take the early onslaught, GSP will get more desperate to finish, make a mistake and Shields will get him.”

CLARKE MACARTHUR, Left Wing, Toronto Maple Leafs
Prediction: GEORGES ST-PIERRE
“I think GSP will win by first round submission. He’s way too well rounded a fighter. Shields is tough and dangerous on the ground, but I think GSP is on another level.”

JEREMY BOTTER, Heavy.com
Prediction: JAKE SHIELDS
“It’s very difficult to pick against a fighter who will go down as one of the greatest this sport has ever seen, but I have to. Simply put, Jake Shields is a winner. When faced with insurmountable odds, he excels. Few gave him a chance in the world against Dan Henderson. He was supposed to be a stepping stone, a guy to give Henderson a nice win in his Strikeforce debut, and Shields spoiled everything. He’s going to do the same thing to St-Pierre, and it won’t matter that 55,000 people are rooting against him.”

DWAYNE “THE ROCK” JOHNSON, star of the hit movie Fast Five
Prediction: GEORGES ST-PIERRE
“I think it’s going to be a five round epic war that redefines both fighters. I respect Shields too damn much to say it’ll end any other way. GSP, the best fighter on the planet, wins in the 5th.”

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL, NBA superstar, Boston Celtics
Prediction: GEORGES ST-PIERRE

BRIAN DAWKINS, NFL Pro Bowl Safety, Denver Broncos
Prediction: GEORGES ST-PIERRE
“I believe St-Pierre will be too much. He has all around talent, striking power and he’s a ground technician. He has no true weakness!”

UFC® 129: ST-PIERRE vs. SHIELDS, which is presented by TapouT®, will be available live on Pay-Per-View at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.99 US/$49.99 CAN for Standard Definition and $54.99 US/$59.99 CAN for High Definition.

For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit UFC.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

* Work in groups to corner your favorite fighter — semi-circle traps work best. Don’t give them an out.
Back them up against a wall and form a semi-circle that will keep them
there for hours. Linking arms in an “Amish Sweep” formation leaves no
gap for escape. 

 
* Have spotters and look-out crews to alert the masses. “Hey everyone! That’s Chuck Liddell!!” Don’t hesitate to yell this even when he isn’t there – it’s great for breaking up crowds and getting to the front of a non-Chuck line faster.
 
* Here are some answers to some common questions that will save everyone some time: 1. Yes, fighting in the UFC is cool. 2. Yes, Dana White is cool. 3. The next UFC event will also be very cool. 4. If you are asking a fighter who they are fighting next, the answer is most likely already confirmed and on the internet. Feel free to look this up ahead of time. For the record, they are hoping for a war and it will be a great fight.
 
* If you see one of the UFC’s Octagon girls, be original with your pick up lines. For example: “You have beautiful eyes, can I touch them?”
 
* Always tell fighters you are their biggest fan, and then ask them who they are fighting next or what they have been up to lately. They love that.

* Find two fighters who are fighting each other soon and wait until they are close to one other. Make sure you tell them that you hope they kick the other guy’s ass right in front of them. Sincerity is crucial.
 
* Don’t be afraid to ask fighters to sign a dirty pair of underwear. They will sign anything.
 
* Always give a fighter some fight tips when you see them. “You need to throw more kicks,” “You need to keep your hands up bro,” or, ahem, “Work on your wrestling, Kenny.” Most fighters don’t have time to think about this stuff so these comments are a big help.
 
* Bring 4 brand-new sharpies: Two silver and two black. Pens, pencils and fluorescent highlighters are frowned upon.
 
* Know the difference between the “Holy Trinity” of Silvas: Anderson Silva (bald middleweight champion), Wanderlei Silva (most likely wearing a porkpie hat) and Thiago Silva (no comment). Matchmaker Joe Silva not included for legal purposes.
 
* If you want immediate respect walking around the expo then please bring your most violent t-shirt. Nothing says “I love MMA” like an XXXL “bleeding Lion” or a “sword carrying pit-bull.”
 
* Have your cameras/camera phones ready to fire at all times. Bring a fancy fanny pack to carry chargers, extra batteries & memory for your cameras. Fanny packs = respect in the MMA community.
 
* For you guys out there, just so you know, there is no masculine way to get your t-shirt signed if you are wearing it.

* If you see Kurt Pellegrino at the expo and you are unable to catch up with him, no worries. His cell phone is 201-555-5656.
 
This has been my most sincere attempt to assist you with this upcoming UFC 129 event in Toronto. See you there . . . maybe.

Update: Tips for Meeting Mr. Florian from Godfrey James, Kenny Florian’s assistant

I think we can all agree that the tips Mr. Florian has outlined above with regards to meeting UFC fighters are extremely helpful; however, now you’re probably sitting there asking “What is the proper etiquette for meeting you, Sir Florian?” I’m here to give you some crucial advice…..

* If you see Mr. Florian, make sure you refer to him only by the following: Primetime, Your Highness, Mr. President, Dr. Love, Bootylicious, or Sensei.

* Do NOT look Mr. Florian directly in the eye. (Looking him in the eye is considered a direct challenge.)

* When you address Mr. Florian, give him a compliment, such as, “You look astonishingly handsome today, Mr. Florian!” and then when he ignores you, thank him anyway out of respect.

* It is customary to bring Mr. Florian a gift when meeting him for the first time. Since his birthday is just a short month away, be proactive and bring him two gifts. Mr. Florian is registered at Net Jets and Mercedes-Benz. Depending on weather, he may require a nice fur. Chinchilla or any other South American rodent will suffice. If the “Cotton to Foil” ratio on your shirt is less than 3 to 1, please bring a Japanese framed pair of sunglasses to shield Mr. Florian’s eyes from becoming “over-dilated.” (Quick Recap: Bring two gifts, one for meeting Mr. Florian and one for his future dated birthday. Bring a third gift, a fur coat, if the temperature is below 52 degrees Fahrenheit or 11 degrees Celsius. And one final gift if you appear overly shiny in daylight.)

* If you would like an autograph from Mr. Florian, I will be making appointments in 10 second intervals through Twitter @kenfloassistant. Please keep your requests under 140 characters.

Thank you in advance for following these instructions meticulously.

Kenneth Florian is a Boston-based athlete next fighting Diego Nunes at UFC 131 in June. For more information, visit KennyFlorian.com or follow him on Twitter at @KennyFlorian.