Child Please

Much in the same fashion that Cain Velasquez is smoking a MMA Crackpipe thinking he's going to beat Lesnar tomorrow, Jake Shields (25-4-1, famous for fighting in Strikeforce and Elite XC) makes his UFC debut against Martin "The Hitman" Kampmann (17-3, 8-2 in the UFC) and has decided that he's already the winner.

Don't get me wrong. Jake Shields is a great fighter. I even think he'll win this fight. Most of his wins come by decision, but wins are wins. He has really good Jiujitsu and won't be walked through easily. However, Shields has already stated in interviews that he wants to "test" himself against the greatest fighter alive, Georges St. Pierre. Mr. Shields, I have one thing to say to you.

Child, please.

So Shields has beaten Carlos Condit, Jason "Mayhem" Miller, Paul Daley and most recently, Dan Henderson of Pride and UFC fame. Whatever. Jake Shields needs to chill out about fighting GSP and worry about the task ahead, and then the one ahead of that, and the one ahead of that before he can get a shot.

Really, Jake?

Just like every other fight on this card (sans Diego Sanchez fighting Paulo Thiago, I literally could care less about Diego Sanchez fighting) Shields vs. Kampmann has potential to go down in the history books. 1. Because Jake Shields is finally in the UFC. 2. Because it's on the same night that Brock Lesnar cements himself as THE true, inarguable champion. Sure, he became undisputed at UFC 116 by submitting Shane Carwin, but stamping that first "1" in the second slot of Cains record, Lesnar is going to be labelled as a dream smashing Viking, and Junior Dos Santos is going to be trembling, just chalk him up in Lesnars win collection as well.

In the light heavyweight division, we're going to witness Tito Ortiz attempt to start another run at a title shot as he takes on his former Ultimate Fighter protege, Matt "The Hammer" Hamill. Originally, I thought that Tito was going to take this one, due to Hamills respect for him. I'm not sure if I can stick to my guns on this call. Tito hasn't won a fight since 2006, going 0-3-1 in his last 4 fights. (A draw with Rashad Evans and losses against Forrest Griffin, Lyoto Machida and of course, the Iceman Chuck Liddell). Hamill has won his last 4, though he won via disqualification over power house Jon "Bones" Jones. I'll write it here that Tito is still going to win, but my fingers are crossed behind my back. See what I'm doing here?

Oh yeah. Brendan Schaub taking on Gabriel Gonzaga. These guys are heavyweights and they're going to be exciting. I read somewhere earlier today...a link off the UFC website I think, that Brendan Schaub is "excited" and "can't sleep" the night before a fight. Well. He lost the Ultimate Fighter 10 final match to Roy Nelson. Gabriel Gonzaga has dropped 2 of his last three, winning the other against Chris Tuchscherer, who coincidentally Schaub smashed at UFC 116. Both were first round TKO's. Hm...Schaub. By decision.

And there's my calls revamped again for tomorrow nights fights. All caps for the winners.

LESNAR vs. Velasquez TKO rd 2
SHIELDS vs. Kampmann Split Decision
Hamill vs ORTIZ TKO rd 3
SANCHEZ vs Thiago Unanimous Decision
SCHAUB vs Gonzaga Unanimous Decision