St. Pierre-Shields Targeted for UFC 129 in Toronto

St. Pierre (Pictured), the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighter, has rattled off eight consecutive wins since bowing to Matt Serra in 2007. The 29-year-old St. Isidore, Quebec, Canada, native last appeared at UFC 124 in December, when he dispatched American Kickboxing Academy standout Josh Koscheck by unanimous decision in a near flawless performance. Based out of the Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts-affiliated Tristar Gym in Montreal, St. Pierre holds black belts in three different disciplines -- Kyokushin karate, Gaidojitsu and Brazilian jiu-jitsu -- and has secured more than half (13) of his 21 career victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission. His list of victims includes a who’s who of welterweights, from hall of famer Matt Hughes (twice) and B.J. Penn (twice) to American Top Team’s Thiago Alves, the American Kickboxing Academy’s Jon Fitch and former International Fight League champion Jay Hieron. St. Pierre has not lost a round in more than three years.

Shields will enter the most significant match of his career on the strength of a 15-fight winning streak. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Cesar Gracie, the 31-year-old Californian made his promotional debut in October, as he earned a split decision over the world-ranked Martin Kampmann at UFC 121. Shields has held titles inside the Shooto, EliteXC and Strikeforce promotions, thriving in two weight classes. Wins over two-time Olympian Dan Henderson, former EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler and one-time World Extreme Cagefighting welterweight king Carlos Condit anchor his resume.