Round 1 - Referee "Big" John McCarthy oversees the evening's co-main event. Shields takes the center and opens with a high kicks. Kampmann circles on the outside wary, and he shucks off an early takedown attempt. Shields press through and gets it on the second try. Kampmann keeps his arms tight around the body, but Shields finally breaks it and sets up in half-mont. Shields controls the head and works hard to pass to mont, though Kampmann does a good job of scrambling underneath. Shields' persistence pays off, and he works to mount. THree minutes remain, but Kampmann bucks and makes enough room to work back to his feet. Shields presses against the cage, and Kampmann can't work himself free. Shields tries to drop for a single, and Kampmann looks to secure the neck, but it's not there. The fighters work for position in the clinch. Kampmann slides free and resets in the center. Kampmann wants to strike, but he hesitates, and it's Shields that lands the jab. Shields kicks to the body. Kampmann finally pops a jab. Shields shoots from distance unsuccessfully. Shields does have his mouth open. Kampmann delivers a right hand, and Shields shoots and drives Kampmann across the cage. Round ends there, and MMAjunkie.com sees it for Shields, 10-9.
Round 2 - Kampmann to the center, and Shields throws a soft low kick. Shields shoots in. Kampmann sprawls to perfection, but Shields pops up and pushes through to the clinch. Kampmann controls well and tries to lock in a D'arce choke, Shiekds falls to a knee, pushes under the legs and moves to top position. Kampmann does not want to lead the head go, but Shields steps over and takes side control. Kampmann scrambling underneath, and he moves back to his feet. Kampmann fires off a knee to the body and then to the head. Shields is gassed, and he checks the clock wit three minutes left. Shields is exhausted, but he does manage to move t top position. From there, he takes mount. Kampmann scrambles underneath and delivers a few elbows. Still, Shields passes again and takes mount. Kampmann sweeps and moves back to the feet. The fames mount not working so great for Shields tonight. In the clinch against the cage, and McCarthy wants a restart. Kampmann delivers a right hand on the restart, and the round ends. It's not inspiring, but MMAjunkie.com sees it for Shields, 10-9.
Round 3 - Shields kicks to the body and shoots a lazy single leg. Kampmann sits down on it and then returns to the feet. Kampmann throws a high kick. Jabs for Kampmann. Shields shoots again, and Kampmann sprawls out and looks for the back. Shields stands and walks away, and Kampmann kicks him in the body as he escapes. Shields shoots again, and Kampmann sprawls again. This time he does work to the back. Shields turtles and Kampmann lands a few punches. Shields rises and tries to push Kampmann to the cage, but he sprawls out again. Kampmann looks for the choke. He gets to north-south with an arm-in, but he can't secure it. Halfway in, and Kampmann pushes Shields to his back. Shields postures and reverses the positioning. Kampmann now on his back, and his shot at victory likely relies on him getting back up. He prevents the pass and rolls. Shields stays pinned to the back and drags him back to the floor. Kampmann defends the choke well, but he needs more than that. Shields with a figure-four, and the fight will ends with him throwing soft right hands. Boos from the crowd. MMAjunkie.com likes Kampmann in the action-light final frame, 10-9, but awards Shields the fight, 29-28. Jake Shields def. Martin Kampmann via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28).
UFC 121: Jake Shields vs Martin Kampmann
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