• UFC 129

Shields vows to step outside the box to earn rematch

ESPN staff
May 3, 2011
Jake Shields showed Georges St-Pierre too much respect during their welterweight title fight at UFC 129 © Getty Images
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For all the fallout from UFC 129, and an update on Dan Hardy, don't miss the next ESPN UFC Podcast on Tuesday

Jake Shields has revealed he will commit himself to boxing until he reaches the level where he can force Georges St-Pierre to go to the mat with him.

Shields was rendered helpless for large parts of his UFC welterweight title challenge on Saturday, getting outboxed for three rounds before an eye-poke put St-Pierre on the back foot for the remaining 10 minutes.

The striking skills of Shields were much improved but still leagues behind St-Pierre, himself not a natural at the art, and the beaten challenger confesses he is ruing the fact that he has relied upon his jiu-jitsu for so many years.

"The last couple of months I've been working with a lot of pro boxers, I wish I'd done it sooner," Shields told ESPN.

"Now that I've lost I'm going to work a lot more on my boxing. My goal the next six months is to really learn how to box, because if someone [else] finally stops my takedowns they'll beat me.

"If I can catch my boxing up with my ground skills, hopefully before I retire I can get another shot at Georges and I'll be able to do things a little differently."

St-Pierre's next challenge could now come from Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz, who is heading for talks with Dana White.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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