• UFC 129

Daley predicts major shock at UFC 129

Georges St-Pierre needs to keep his UFC 129 battle with Jake Shields standing according to Paul Daley © Getty Images

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For all the latest UFC talking points, including an exclusive chat with Paul Daley, don't miss the next ESPN UFC Podcast on Tuesday

Paul Daley has predicted a major upset when Georges St-Pierre defends his belt against Jake Shields at UFC 129.

Daley has the chance to become the Strikeforce welterweight champion on April 9 when he meets champion Nick Diaz for the belt. Victory would put him in a position where he becomes a genuine contender for a future shot at the UFC 170lb strap, currently held by St-Pierre.

Daley fought and lost to Shields back in 2008, and he has helped Rough House team-mate Dan Hardy train for a previous title shot against St-Pierre. The Briton therefore knows both fighters extremely well, and insists GSP will need to keep the fight upright against a man who has won his last 15 fights.

"Obviously I've fought Jake Shields before and I lost back in the day over at Elite XC," said Daley. "I think that Jake Shields is going to be the toughest opponent that Georges St-Pierre has faced in recent times.

"Jake Shields is not only proven himself at 170lbs, but he's beat Dan Henderson and Dan Henderson is no joke, so I think that just goes to show the sort of calibre of fighter Jake Shields is.

"That being said, Jake Shields is slightly more one-dimensional than Georges St-Pierre. If Georges St-Pierre can keep the fight standing than I think he has a high chance of winning the fight. And I don't doubt that St-Pierre is going to try and take Jake down as well and try and do some damage from top position."

Pressed for a prediction, Daley believes the UFC may have a new figurehead for its welterweight division come the end of April.

"I think we could be in for an upset," he predicted. "Jake Shields is very capable and good at what he does."

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