Shield's stand-up

Yes, Jake Shield's stand-up looks particularly bad, he's awkward, he boxes like a wrestler. BUT it's not that bad, because it just doesn't need to be. It just needs to exist, to be enough to keep somebody honest, because the takedown threat is so imminent, so real, quick, and relentless, that Jake isn't fighting the same stand-up fight as everyone else. You can't fight Jake like a kickboxer or boxer, you'll end up on your back. So in his style, in his world, his stand-up is really good–and he'll keep you honest because he will hit you if he can. He's so quick and attacking with his takedowns that if you really stand and try to trade with him he's going to get the single leg and run it.

As far as fearing the takedown, did anybody see how easily he was reversing Phil Davis when Davis took him down? Scary. By all means, take me down, says Jake.

All that being said, I would make GSP 3:1 favorite.