UFC 121: Five Ways That Jake Shields Can Defeat Martin Kampmann

In his latest victory against Dan Henderson, Shields was unanimously dominant, as the judges decided.

The game plan that he came up with for Henderson was clever and carried out to perfection. It also earned him a big payday in the long run in the form of Dana White's UFC.

If Shields, even being injured, has mapped out this fight the same way, there's no telling what he could do to "The Hitman."

In what is expected to be the best MMA card of the year, Shields will need to deliver in his debut.

5. Take Advantage of MMA Experience

Valerie Macon/Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 17: (L-R) Strikeforce World Lightweight Champion Gilbert 'El Nino' Melendez, Undefeated Light Heavyweight contender 'King Mo' Lawal, Legendary MMA Superstar, two time Olympic Wrestler Dan Henderson, Strikeforce World Middleweight Champ

Jake Shields now brings a wealth of experience to the UFC octagon. Albeit having been in the Strikeforce cage, it's still fair to say that his experience is plentiful and will help him this Saturday.

Shields has fought 30 fights professionally and hasn't lost in nearly six years. Now facing elite competition, Shields will only be able to build on his reputation.

Yet at the same time, it is fair to say that Jake Shields is one of the most underrated fighters in all of MMA.

4. Install Same Game Plan As Used with Dan Henderson

Valerie Macon/Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 17: Strikeforce World Lightweight Champion Gilbert 'El Nino' Melendez and Strikeforce World Middleweight Champion Jake Shields attend the CBS' Strikeforce MMA Fighters Open Media Workout on March 17, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Pho

The game plan that Shields had in place for Dan Henderson was carried out to victory.  He hasn't lost in nearly six years, and if he maps this fight out similarly, he should extend his streak.

The fight with Henderson put Shields on display as an elite fighter and made him earn a huge payday in the UFC as well. With his debut fight against Kampmann, he will need to do much of the same to come out victorious.

3. Think Back to Your Career Journey and What This Opportunity Means

Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images

STUDIO CITY, CA - MAY 19: MMA fighters Jake Shields (R) and Nick Diaz demonstrate MMA fighting techniques at CBS's 'Elite XC Saturday Night Fights' Press Conference at CBS Radford Studios on May 19, 2008 in Studio City, California. (Photo by Stephen Shu

Jake Shields has fought in professional MMA for about 10 years. In those 10 years he has faced great competition and was on top of the world in Strikeforce at Middleweight. But now he's come to the UFC and is a 170-pound fighter.

Welterweight, the division that Georges St. Pierre has terrorized for the past few years, needed a shake-up. Now Shields presents GSP's toughest challenge when the date eventually comes.

To recognize where his career path has taken him, Shields too must remember where he has come from and what he has sacrificed to get to this point.

2. Don't Get Overconfident

Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images

STUDIO CITY, CA - MAY 19: MMA fighters Jake Shields (L) and Nick Diaz attend CBS's 'Elite XC Saturday Night Fights' Press Conference at CBS Radford Studios on May 19, 2008 in Studio City, California. (Photo by Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)

Jake Shields needs to realize that even in fighting Kampmann, the competition of the UFC is superior, so he will always need to bring his A-game.

Night in and night out in the octagon, and every day of training, Shields will need to prove his elite status.

As we have seen in the past, things can change in the UFC in an instant, and the unexpected can always happen. Georges St. Pierre, his possible next opponent, knows that all too well after his loss to Matt Serra. See, already I am getting ahead of myself on Shields.

1. Don't Look Ahead to Georges St. Pierre

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

NEW YORK - MARCH 24: Georges St-Pierre of Montreal, Quebec, Canada speaks at a press conference for UFC 111 at Radio City Music Hall on March 24, 2010 in New York City. St-Pierre will face Dan Hardy of Nottingham UK in the Welterweight title bout. (Pho

Georges St. Pierre, the UFC Welterweight Champion, will be Shields' opponent if all goes according to plan.

Though this decision by Dana White may tick off Jon Fitch, who was supposed to be the new No. 1 contender, it is a fight that fans would rather see: Shields vs. St. Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Championship.

Shields, deserving or not, will get the next title shot in 2011. In the meantime, though, Shields cannot look past Kampmann and towards St. Pierre. It's in his best interests to focus on the task at hand and execute his game plan to another victory.