He knows just how tough a challenge it would be to step in the cage with the dominant Canadian. Only two men have been able to walk out of the cage with a victory over St-Pierre during his nine year MMA career. However, St-Pierre has already avenged both of those losses. 

"He's definitely at the top for a reason," Ellenberger said. "I think GSP is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world right now. That's no easy fight for anybody. That's obviously my goal, the reason why I'm even competing is to go for a world title. Like I said before he's no secret. He's very well rounded and he comes in phenomenal shape. It's hard to find holes in his game, but I still think I'm gonna be a world champion."

Don't think Ellenberger is just heaping on the praise to butter up St-Pierre either. Ellenberger isn't afraid to speak his mind, which is evident by his prediction for Saturday night's main event. Ellenberger doesn't expect much a fight for the 55,000 plus fans attending the Toronto show. 

"I don't even think it's gonna be a good fight to be honest," Ellenberger said. "I think it's gonna be a pretty normal day for GSP. I just don't see what Jake Shields is gonna bring to the table. Some people are saying, 'Oh he's got a better ground game.'  Yeah, sure he does, but how you gonna get it to the ground? GSP, I think he's gonna beat him in the first round to be honest. Look at when he fought Josh Koscheck and Koscheck has trouble taking him down. I don't see a good fight at all."

Ellenberger contends that he doesn't quite see eye to eye with the rest of the MMA community when it comes to Shields.

"I really just don't like him," Ellenberger said. "I'm not gonna say he's overrated. He has had some big wins and he's built a good resume in the sport. Do I think he should be fighting for a title? No, but again that's not my choice. I think GSP will beat him with a jab and a yawn. I mean that's an easy fight for him."

Some critics may contend that Ellenberger should take care of the Carlos Eduardo Rocha's of the MMA world. Those critics would mainly be underrating Rocha's skills and ability but also underestimating Ellenberger. Ellenberger wasn't happy with his performance at that fight and knows he needs to get better going forward. He enjoys experiences like that. He enjoys the opportunity to learn from the mistakes he made during the bout.

The Nebraska wrestler doesn't try and sugarcoat what happened and is honest with himself about the fight. Far too often you see fighters talk themselves into winning rounds and believing they should have gotten decision victories that tilted the other way, but not Ellenberger.

"There was no question I lost that first round," Ellenberger said. "And fights like that are good for me, for my career. I'm still very young in my career and these are the kind of fights that really test your characters, put you through adversity. Coming back from losing is a tough thing to do. Stay focused and mentally tough in there. I think that was a good fight to get through and help me down the road for sure."

Ellenberger looks forward to more of those fights going...