It's welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre's well-stocked arsenal against challenger Jake Shields' prickly grappling at UFC 129, Saturday April 30th. St-Pierre has won his last eight fights and has not lost a round since August 2007, a string of 30 straight. Shields is riding a 15-fight win streak dating back to 2005. MMA oddsmakers have Georges St-Pierre listed as -500 moneyline favourite over Lyoto Machida. Also on the card is UFC Hall of Famer Randy (The Natural) Couture takes on former light-heavyweight champion Lyoto (The Dragon) Machida. Be sure to check out UFC 129 Odds and get your predictions in early.
GSP (-500) vs Jake Shields (+300)
GSP is fighting for his legacy. A win over Shields and the 29-year-old from Montreal has all but cleared out the 170-pound division. But, GSP calls Shields his greatest threat. "if there's anybody out there that can give GSP a good fight, I think Jake Shields might be the man," said former lightweight and welterweight champion B.J. Penn, beaten twice by St-Pierre. "When you look at him, you don't think much. You see him fight, you don't think much but he goes out there and wins. He beat (middleweight) Dan Henderson, I know it's a different style and styles make fights but I think Dan Henderson would do really well with GSP if they were in the ring together. I honestly think it's a toss-up."
Jake Shields, who is tough and durable, has 10 submission wins in addition to his 13 decisions and three TKOs. He has lost three decisions and been stopped by TKO once. Shields is battling for respect. A multiple champion in other organizations, the 32-year-old California fighter is a latecomer to the UFC and as such has missed out on much of the spotlight. English welterweight Paul (Semtex) Daley also was impressed by Shields' win over Henderson in Strikeforce. "Dan Henderson's no joke so I think that just goes to shows the sort of calibre of fighter Jake Shields is," said Daley. "That being said, Jake Shields is slightly more one-dimensional than Georges St-Pierre and if Georges St-Pierre can keep the fight standing then I think Georges St-Pierre has a high chance of winning the fight. "And I don't doubt that Georges St-Pierre is going to come and try and take Jake down as well and try and do some damage from top position. But I think we could be in for an upset. Jake Shields is very capable and good at what he does." Shields, who is tough and durable, has 10 submission wins in addition to his 13 decisions and three TKOs.He has lost three decisions and been stopped by TKO once.
UFC 129 Odds & Picks:
Randy Couture (+300) vs. Lyoto Machida (-400)
Should go three rounds and to a decision where anything could happen.
Pick: Couture
Vladimir Matyushenko (-115) vs. Jason Brilz (-115)
People are severely underestimating Brilz. Or are they overrating Matyushenko at this point in his career?
Pick: Brilz
Mark Bocek (+110) vs. Ben Henderson (-140)
Henderson is more well rounded and his striking will emerge as the difference.
Pick: Henderson
Nate Diaz (-115) vs. Rory MacDonald (-115)
If only a bet was available for this bout taking the Fight of the Night bonus. It’s close to a lock for being the most entertaining on the card.
Pick: Diaz
Sean Pierson (+160) vs. Jake Ellenberger (-190)
Perhaps Ellenberger is at a discount since he’s a late replacement on the card. He’s a steal at this price.
Pick: Ellenberger
Point-Spreads.com UFC 129 Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: GSP will dominate and set up a fight with Anderson Silva. Be sure to check out UFC 129 Odds and get your predictions in early.
