Jake Shields entered UFC 129 having won 15 straight fights, defeating opponents such as Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit, Dan Henderson and Martin Kampmann. He was essentially on top of the world in the welterweight division.
He entered UFC 129 just one victory away from being declared the welterweight champion of the world. His opponent: the longtime champion, George St. Pierre.
St. Pierre had been tops of the welterweight division since his victory over Matt Hughes at UFC 79. Since then St. Pierre has defended his title seven straight times and has remained the greatest 170-pound fighter in the world.
When Shields and St. Pierre squared off at UFC 129, something was different, something wasn’t the same. It had been the first time in over four years that an opponent stood toe to toe with the champion.
Despite being in the home country of St. Pierre, Shields didn’t back down. He exchanged almost identical strikes with St. Pierre throughout five grueling rounds. The only difference in the fight was Shields was taken down twice but the rest remained even.
The judges’ scorecards indicated the victory to St. Pierre by unanimous decision. Instead of giving credit to Shields, UFC fans across the globe believed St. Pierre just had an off evening.
They didn’t want to admit their longtime champion had finally met his match. While Shields walked out of UFC 129 with his first loss in nearly six years, he caught the eyes of many.
Shields will square off with Jake Ellenberger at UFC Fight Night on Saturday, September 17th in hopes of getting another title shot.
Ellenberger, no slouch himself, will look to win his fifth straight fight and move himself also closer to a title shot.
If Shields walks out of UFC Fight Night with another impressive victory he will have earned himself another immediate title shot against St. Pierre, granted he defeats Nick Diaz at UFC 137.
Would a title shot be too soon? Absolutely not. Shields has been the only man to truly test St. Pierre in nearly four years.
With a win at UFC Fight Night, expect to see Shields back in the Octagon against St. Pierre fighting for the welterweight championship very soon.
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