Pros Pick: St. Pierre vs. Shields

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Roli Delgado: I’m picking GSP by devastating jab. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Jake real banged up. Too much skill discrepancy standing. GSP by knockout.

Gabe Ruediger: People are discounting Jake too soon in this fight. He did have a poor showing in his last fight, but I would attribute that to his body getting readjusted at 170. Jake’s BJJ is very good, and he has finished a ton of good guys. That being said, I still think GSP will out game plan Jake. I hate picking against people I consider friends -- which Jake is -- but, subjectively, GSP should win.

Elvis Sinosic: Every time I post my picks, I write a novel and I get hell for it. GSP for the victory.

Shamar Bailey: I think Shields has a chance as long as his game plan revolves around what he’s good at.

Eric Pele: I’m a real big fan of both fighters. I think this is one of GSP’s biggest fights to date; Jake is a beast, and he has a ton of weapons that he brings to the table. He can compete with GSP wherever the fight goes. With that said, I’ll be picking GSP for the decision. I think they’re fairly even in all areas, but if GSP uses his range and striking with that nasty jab he has, it’s gonna be a long night for Jake, ala Koscheck. Then again, we’re talking about Shields here; he is just as nasty on the ground. Boxing may be the Sweet Science, but this fight is gonna be like poetry in motion -- just beautiful. Can’t wait.

Jeremy Luchau: As much as I would love to see Shields bring home the strap, I just can’t see him doing so. Shields had difficulty holding position with Kampmann, so I don’t see him doing any better with GSP. GSP by decision -- again.

Yves Edwards: I don’t see Jake being able to take GSP down, and in the standup department, I think GSP puts his stuff together better. I just don’t see anyone beating St. Pierre anytime soon.

Travis Wiuff: GSP by decision by using his great jab, takedowns and ground-and-pound. Shields is too good to finish and GSP is too good to be submitted on top. I see this being a pretty boring fight. Both guys are great and will be hard to finish one another.

Rex Richards: GSP via TKO, round two.

Guy Mezger: Not very excited about this fight. If this fight doesn’t end early, then I have a feeling that Shields will do what he does or GSP keeps it on the feet, avoiding too much clinching. Not sure if that makes an exciting fight. I hope I’m wrong. GSP does have a way of taking guys out of their game plan with his versatility. Shields is pretty predictable but is good at it. He seems to find ways to make it work. I am going to take GSP on this one.

Matt Hamilton: GSP. Lots of boxing. But hey, I thought Lawler and Henderson would beat Shields, too, so ... anyway, GSP by TKO late.

Tom Vaughn: Shields is a badass grappler, but I just don’t see how he gets this fight where he wants it. GSP has the up game and takedown defense to make a mess of Shields, and I don't see it happening any other way. First and second rounds, GSP will dismantle Shields, and [in the] third round, he will finish him by TKO.

Tim Kennedy: This is an awkward one to call. Jake has been a longtime friend all the way back to the days when I first started at The Pit. He was the one that brought me in and introduced me to MMA. GSP is a fellow team member at Jackson’s MMA, so I hate to make a call against him. I think the question is all about wrestling. While Jake’s standup is underrated, it is not nearly at the level as GSP’s. Conventional wisdom would say that Jake needs this fight on the ground. I’m going to call an upset and go with Shields by a close decision. He will drag the tight, short, girl-worshiped, 170-pound champ to the mat over and over.

Kultar Gill: Shields is a great fighter but nowhere the level as GSP. Shields has great jits but will be unable to take GSP down. I can see GSP picking him apart with long and fast strikes and finishing with ground-and-pound in the third.

Jorge Rivera: I think GSP will win the fight by stoppage due to strikes as early as the third round and as late as the fifth. His standup is more than Jake has ever had to deal with, and I think it will fluster him the same way Dan Henderson did in the first round of their fight.

Mike Constantino: I think Shields will submit GSP; not sure exactly what kind of sub, but I see him at some point locking something up and becoming the new UFC welterweight champion.

Pros Picking St. Pierre: 43
Pros Picking Shields: 5
No Pick: 4

You can also contact Mike Sloan at www.facebook.com/mikesloan19. Features Editor Brian Knapp contributed to this report.