"Nate (Diaz) immediately talked about how we going to get Nick (Diaz) ready and start planning it out, white boarding it, and figuring it out how to do it. We do have a guy by the name of Jake Shields who I think has the best top game in MMA, and Nate brought that up, and brought it to our attention. Not that its a surprise to us, but it rings a total bell. I'm sure if we get those two boy's together. Jake Shields on top of Nick Diaz all day, and we work from there we are going to have a really good chance." - Gilbert Melendez via Middleeasy

Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez explains the key role current UFC middleweight Jake Shields will play in Nick Diaz's training camp to prepare for Georges St. Pierre at UFC 158.

Shields, a former collegiate wrestler, previously faced St. Pierre at UFC 129. Though Shields is one of the best wrestlers in mixed martial arts today, he was unable to take the champion down at any point in the contest.

St. Pierre used his superior technical boxing to outpoint the former Strikeforce champion for the better part of five rounds, earning a unanimous decision victory.

Nick Diaz who's still riding out his 12-month suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission due to marijuana consumption, has been scheduled to face St. Pierre at UFC 158 on March 16.

Heading into the contest, many predict St. Pierre superior wrestling will be too much for Diaz to overcome as he has shown a previous weakness when facing strong wrestlers like St. Pierre.

In preparation to effectively defend St. Pierre's takedown attempts and top game, Diaz will be utilize Shields who is widely known as having one of the most effective top-games in MMA today.