EliteXC returns to CBS for the second installement of Saturday Night Fights. The fight card this time around is headlined by a rematch of a fight from the first CBS show between Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith. No Kimbo Slice or Gina Carano this time around, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as all of the attention will be placed on fighters who have been in MMA a while and have proven themselves worthy of recognition.

Robbie Lawler vs Scott Smith – Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith really stole the show in the first CBS Saturday Night Fights event. Unfortunately for both fighters, the fight was stopped early by the doctor and resulted in a no contest decision. All expectations are for just as good of a battle this time around as the EliteXC middleweight title is back on the line.

Scott Smith has had an up and down career so far. Early on Smith dominated the Gladiator Challenge promotion as well as the WEC, but faltered when he joined the UFC in 2006 losing 3 of his 4 fights. Smith signed on with EliteXC and had an impressive debut against Kyle Noke and then really proved his worth in the first fight with Lawler. Smith loves to stand and throw punches and his weakness definitely is his ground game. Good thing for Smith, Robbie Lawler doesn’t want any part of the ground game either.

Robbie Lawler has really come into his element since moving up to the middleweight division last year. Lawler had a nice victory over Joey Villasenor in Pride, a spectacular battle against Frank Trigg in ICON Sport, and another impressive TKO victory against Murilo Rua to capture the EliteXC middleweight belt. Lawler appeared on his way to winning the first fight against Scott Smith, but he clearly had started to gas and it was anyones guess which fighter would clip the other one and fall first. My money this time is one Lawler. I think he’s a smarter fighter now and will be well prepared and know what to expect from Smith this time around. I do expect an excellent striking display from both fighters and think we are in for an excellent main event. Winner: Robbie Lawler
Nick Diaz vs Thomas Denny – When you get right down to it, Nick Diaz has looked pretty average since his upset victory over Takanori Gomi back in early 2007. While Diaz possesses excellent BJJ skills, he seems to prefer to avoid using them at all costs and would rather stand and throw short jabs at his opponent all night. The best thing about Diaz is that he is very tough to stop, having only been TKO’d once. The problem with Diaz is that most of his fights that go to decision he loses. I really don’t know what to expect from Nick this time out.

Thomas Denny seems to have been placed in this fight just to give the fans in Stockton something to get excited about while watching their hometown fighter, Diaz. While a colorful character, Denny doesn’t present much of an opponent for Nick Diaz. However, his wild style and aggressive nature might just be what Diaz needs in an opponent to bring out his best stuff. Winner: Nick Diaz

Jake Shields vs Nick Thompson – Jake Shields is finally getting his show at the EliteXC welterweight title after waiting months and months with several previous fights called off. Shields is generally regarded as being a top 10 welterweight, or at least right on the cusp and winning the first EliteXC welterweight belt would solidify that perception. Since 2006, Shields had defeated Carlos Condit, Yushin Okami, Renato Verissimo and Mike Pyle, not a bad lineup at all.

My gut is telling me however, that Nick “The Goat” Thompson is going to ruin Shield’s coronation and take the title himself. Thompson is a very active veteran with over 45 fights to his credit, including three victories already in 2008. More than half of Thompson’s 39 victories have come via submission and it will be an excellent ground battle between Shields and Thompson. I think Thompson had enough in the tank to outlast Sheilds and push Jake late into the 4th and 5th rounds. Winner: Nick Thompson

Antonio Silva vs Justin Eilers – Antonio Silva and Justin Eilers will headline the Showtime portion of the fight card in a battle for the first EliteXC Heavyweight Title. Justin Eilers is a mid-level heavyweight at best and shouldn’t post much of a problem to “Bigfoot” Silva. Antonio Silva fights out of the American Top Team camp and has a promising future in the heavyweight division. A natural super-heavyweight at close to 300 lbs., Silva is still learning the art of fighting smaller fighters under the 255 lb. weight limit. Silva can easily control Eilers on the ground and I think he is equal in the striking game. I see Silva taking this fight by decision or TKO in the third round. Winner: Antonio Silva

Shayna Baszler vs Cristiane Cyborg – Winner: Shayna Baszler
Rafael Feijao vs Travis Galbraith – Winner: Travis Galbraith
Wilson Reis vs Bryan Caraway – Winner: Wilson Reis
Mike Cook vs Car Seumantafa – Winner: Car Seumantafa
Brandon Tarn vs Drew Montgomery – Winner: Drew Montgomery