Strikeforce conference call recap for June 6 event featuring Robbie Lawler and Jake Shields

Strikeforce: 'Lawler vs. Shields' is set to go down this Saturday, June 6, 2009 from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri, live on Showtime starting at 10 p.m. ET. The fight card will easily be the biggest in St. Louis history.

Remember: MMAmania.com will provide LIVE updates with blow-by-blow, round-by-round commentary of the main card action on fight night, which is slated to air at 10 p.m. ET.

To get us rolling for the event, Strikeforce held the second half of their media conference call this afternoon. The cast of characters this time around featured Robbie "Ruthless" Lawler and Jake Shields.

While the card saw its share of injuries and last-minute replacements, the main card remained intact throughout, allowing the rest of the main card fights to fill in nicely, giving us plenty of reasons to get amped for the event.

As for the main event, Robbie Lawler and Jake Shields are ready to stop talking and start fighting. Here's a quick recap of what went down earlier today:

ROBBIE LAWLER:

Is there any problem with you getting down to 182 pounds?

"I’m going to make it. I don’t want to make it but I’m going to make it. This whole time off I was thinking of getting a little leaner and cutting a little more weight than normal so I think I’ll be fine."

What is your game plan for Saturday night?

"Well, I definitely don’t want him (Shields) on top of me. He’s got a great top game and he looks to finish, looks to mount and looks to improve position so being on the ground is definitely not a good place to be."

How do you approach selling a fight? Has your approach changed to it over the years?

"I stay pretty reserved still. I’m pretty laid back. I do it but I typically don’t like to get involved in and definitely don’t like doing it. But I do as much I can to help the fight. It’s good for the sport but I’d rather be out there fighting than being on the phone."

How do you feel about fighting in your hometown?

"It’s not a big deal. I’m looking at it as another fight."

Are you looking for a first-round knockout Saturday night?

"However I can get a win."

JAKE SHIELDS:

What about going down to 182 pounds?

"Well it is nice not having to diet all the time so hopefully I’ll go in there feeling stronger. Dieting and sucking water, all of that can take it out of you. There are positives and disadvantages to it. It’s always nice being the bigger guy but it’s also nice to not have to diet or cut water out. So there are two ways of looking at it. I’ll just have to go out there and see how I feel on Saturday."

What is you game plan Saturday if he keeps you on your feet and you’re not able to get him to the ground?

"Punch him in the face. That always helps. If he takes me down I just have to punch back."

How do you assess Robbie’s ground game?

"I think Robbie’s a great wrestler. He’s always been surrounded by good college wrestlers. He’s certainly not going to be easy to take down. His ground game is his weakest aspect but I haven’t been able to see it lately because not a lot of guys have been able to get him down."

Is this the biggest fight of your career?

"Yeah, I’d say it’s the biggest. I’ve fought a lot overseas but as far as media attention goes and Robbie being top 5 or top 10, it’s a huge fight for me."

Do you feel like an uncrowned champion and would you prefer to fight for a title in your next fight?

"I do feel a little like an uncrowned champion. For me it’s more the fight that matters than the title. Belts are nice but it’s really just about the fight."

For all the latest on the upcoming Strikeforce event click here.