Shields and the End of GSP

If Jake Shields beats Martin Kampmann a week from Saturday, Dana White will probably match him against the winner of December’s Georges St. Pierre/Josh Koscheck bout: this according to White during a Tuesday press conference for the Dec. 11 title fight at UFC 124.

Smart: Shields is the lone remaining challenge for St. Pierre, who is otherwise looking at a series of low-watt rematches against men who probably don’t stand much of a chance to beat him. The Kampmann fight is essentially a “hey, how’s it going, I’m Jake” type of match for anyone unfamiliar with Shields. (He’s won 14 in a row.) It’s otherwise unnecessary. Shields could’ve come in off the street to challenge for the title, unless the UFC feels that would lend too much credence to his career in Strikeforce.

The bigger curiosity is whether St. Pierre is looking at the end of his run as a welterweight. If he beats Shields, there currently are no bigger fishes. John Hathaway might notch another name win, and Nick Diaz might come back, but St. Pierre is otherwise too good for his own good. The public likes an infallible champion, but once we have one, you sometimes wonder where the suspense will come from.