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UFC 121: Jake Shields felt 'no pressure' to choose weight class or fight Martin Kampmann

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Props: MMAWeekly

Quoteworthy:

"I was pretty undecided the whole time. I just wanted big fights, and I know GSP is tied up with the Koscheck fight, so I was thinking maybe going to 85 since my weight's already up. [The UFC] called and asked if I wanted (Martin Kampmann) at 70 and I said sure. They didn't give me any pressure; they gave me the option. Some people were saying I was forced to go down, which certainly wasn't the case. They said I could fight at either weight, but they offered me a fight at 70, and I was like I might as well jump and take it. I'm not really sure if this is going to be a number one contender's fight or not, it hasn’t been mentioned to me, but there's a good chance if I go out there and look really good doing it, it's definitely a possibility."

Former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields insists he's fighting Martin Kampmann at UFC 121 on Oct. 23 in Anaheim because he chose to, not because he was pressured to. The Cesar Gracie product has remained undefeated over five years across the span of 14 fights with victories over Dan Henderson, Robbie Lawler and Jason Miller. Shields has been vocal about his desire to face Georges St. Pierre as a UFC employee and may be one fight away from getting his wish -- unless "The Hitman" has anything to say about it. Anyone thinking the Dane will play spoiler? Or is Shields on another level entirely?

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