The first time EliteXC had a show on CBS it seemed like a Very Big Deal, simply because it was the debut for mixed martial arts on network television in prime time.

EliteXC's second CBS show is this Saturday night, and it doesn't seem like such a big deal. But the truth is, this weekend's card (the first hour of which is on Showtime) is actually a better showcase of MMA talent than the EliteXC CBS debut.

The card features two of the top 25 MMA fighters in the world, with middleweight champ Robbie Lawler taking on Scott Smith in a rematch of the best fight from that first show, and welterweight champ Jake Shields taking on Nick Thompson. It also has a solid undercard that could have the women's MMA fight of the year. Full details and predictions are below.
What: EliteXC: Unfinished Business

When: Saturday, 8 -9 p.m. ET on Showtime, 9-11 p.m. ET on CBS

Where: Stockton Arena, Stockton, California

Predictions:

Middleweight Championship: Robbie Lawler vs. Scott Smith
This match-up was on its way to being an excellent fight on May 31 -- until Lawler accidentally poked Smith in the eye and the cageside doctor ruled (against Smith's wishes) that Smith couldn't go on. I think it'll be a good fight again this time around. Pick: Lawler by fourth-round TKO.

Welterweight Championship: Jake Shields vs. Nick Thompson
Shields is on a nine-fight winning streak; Thompson is on a 12-fight winning streak. Although this is not Jon Fitch vs. Georges St. Pierre, it's one of the best welterweight fights on the horizon. Pick: Shields by second-round submission.

Lightweights: Nick Diaz vs. Thomas Denny
Diaz is a tough nut to crack. He would have a very impressive win over Takanori Gomi on his record, except that he failed a post-fight drug test and the bout was changed to a no contest. There have been times when he's seemed like a great fighter and times when he's seemed like a bum, but he's a well-rounded fighter who should beat Denny handily. Pick: Diaz by first-round KO.

Female Bantamweights: Shayna Baszler vs. Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos
Baszler, the American, is a Brazilian jiu jitsu specialist, while Cyborg, the Brazilian, is a Muay Thai expert. I think their styles make for a potentially great fight, a fight I like Baszler to win. Pick: Baszler by second-round submission.

Heavyweight Championship: Antonio Silva vs. Justin Eilers
Against all logic, I'm very excited about this fight. No, it's nowhere near as good a heavyweight match as the heavyweight fights on Saturday night's Affliction card, but there's something fascinating about the enormous Silva, and I appreciate the fact that EliteXC is honest enough to make this the title fight and not to claim that Kimbo Slice is the promotion's top heavyweight. Eilers is much more experienced than Silva, but I think Silva is going to show big-time punching power. Pick: Silva by first-round TKO.

Light Heavyweights: Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante vs. Travis Galbraith
The Brazilian Feijao is 6-1, with his only loss coming when he was disqualified for an illegal kick. I think he'll keep it going against the Canadian Galbraith, a submission specialist. Pick: Feijao by second-round TKO.

Featherweights: Wilson Reis vs. Brian Caraway
The 4-0 Reis, who was on the non-televised undercard of the last CBS show, is inexperienced but has potential. However, I think he's going to be upset by a game Caraway. Pick: Caraway by decision.