Camus (photo via UFC.com)

By Crossfire Media Group

(Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA): The world-famous “Octagon jitters” have turned many a “sure thing” into a quivering mass of nerves. Countless fighters who were deemed can’t-miss prospects have been reduced to shells of themselves once confronted with their first fight in the UFC. One recent example some would cite would be former Bellator champion Hector Lombard, who lost a split-decision to Tim Boetch in his first Octagon bout recently.

At UFC 150 this weekend, Chico “King” Camus doesn’t plan to follow Lombard’s case.

“Am I concerned about the ‘jitters’? Not really,” states Camus. “At the end of the day, it’s just another fight. Dustin Pague is standing in the way of what I have worked so hard at for five years, so it’s somewhat of a relief and a blessing to finally get to show the world my talents.”

Camus (11-3) will lock horns with Pague (11-6) this Saturday in his UFC debut. Pague, an Ultimate Fighter vet nicknamed “The Disciple,” holds a 1-2 record inside the Octagon, and may be facing a pink slip if he doesn’t beat “King.” As a result, the Roufusport product is prepared to face a man possessed. And, knowing how important this fight is, Camus is prepared for anything.

“This fight is so important…it means everything! I look at every fight I have as my biggest fight of my life, and this is no different. So I want to come out and show the UFC that they didn’t make a mistake by signing me. So, I’m definitely very focused and ready to show the world who Chico Camus is.”

So, what can the fans expect to see from the “King” at UFC 150? “A motivated, hungry kid from the south side of Milwaukee who brings it every time he steps into the cage,” concludes Camus. “It’s my time.”

“Chico is so exciting as a fighter…he reminds me of an old school Jorge Masvidal,” says Roufusport Head Coach Duke Roufus. “This Saturday, he’s going to bring everything he’s got into the Octagon, and leave everything there. Count on it.”

Also participating in an important fight this weekend is Camus’ teammate, Mike “Biggie” Rhodes. At 1-0, Rhodes is just getting started in his career, and will face Torrey Berendes at “Madtown Throwdown” in Madison, Wisconsin this Saturday. A former collegiate basketball player turned MMA fighter, “Biggie” was a roommate of UFC featherweight title contender Erik Koch, and is also a fellow Iowa transplant. Against Berendes, Rhodes knows he has his work cut out for him.

“He’s a tough guy, more of a brawler, with a ‘go-for-broke’ style,” explains Rhodes. “Basically, he’s all stand-up. As for me, as a fighter, I’m really well-rounded. And I showed as an amateur and in my pro debut that I can go anywhere with the fight. My ground game and wrestling has come a long way. So I’m ready for Torrey.

“In your early fights, you want to get the win, first and foremost. But I’d really like to work on throwing some knees and elbows in the clinch since we’ve been working on that.”

Rhodes is a unique fighter in that he’ll face any style of fighter.

“What makes me unique is that I’m not afraid to fight anybody. I will fight anybody, anywhere. And I make fights exciting, no matter what style. The fans will get to see that.”

“Mike is a guy to keep an eye on…he’s going to be a special fighter,” says Roufus. “What an athlete he is, and when you combine his level of talent with his work ethic, it’s easy to see that he’s going to go far in MMA.”