The first round of action was close, but champion Georges St. Pierre dictated most of the action against challenger Jake Shields. The two battled back and forth, but a knockdown by the champion likely secured the round for him, as did his success during the final minute of the first.
In the second, St. Pierre looked to use his jab again, while Shields continued to struggle in the striking game. The challenger looked to clinch on several occasions, but the champion pushed him away, easily taking the round with his superior striking. The third round was more of the same, as Shields continued to struggle against the welterweight king on the feet.
When the fighters reached the fourth round, St. Pierre looked completely in control. Shields had no answer for the champion’s striking, and the challenger dropped after a head kick landed flush. Shields continued to box with the champ for the remainder of the round, though he did not come close to topping St. Pierre in the striking game.
In the final round of action, Shields came out strong, but St. Pierre defended well. The challenger looked to press the action, while the champion was content to avoid the damage. With less than one-half of the round remaining, Shields still looked tentative. The two battled back and forth on the feet for the remainder of the round, though neither was able to dominate the waning moments.
