This coming saturday, the UFC will present UFC 61, Bitter Rivals. The heavyweight title will be on the line as well as some interesting lightweight matches, and the well touted grudge match.
Tim "The Maniac" Sylvia vs Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski: Here we go again. The series is tied at one a piece with both finds ending very quickly in the first round. Tim currently has the strap and Arlovski wants it back. Personally, I think Tim was given a bit of a gift in the rematch. Granted, Arlovski was rocked and knocked down, but in a title fight, you have to give the fighters a chance to recover (ie Trigg/Hughes). Still, Arlovski never complained about the stoppage, instead focusing on the rubber match. We all know Tim has powerful punches but he moves slowly and has never really been tested upon the ground. Arlovski also has KO power (he dropped Tim in both fights) but is a much better athlete and has good submissions on the ground. The question is, will Andrei risk standing with Tim again, or take him down to a position where the odds are much higher in his favor. WINNER-Andrei Arlovski I believe Tim got lucky the second time, and Arlovski took him a bit lightly. That won't happen again. Arlovski may stand and trade some with Sylvia, but he will keep his distance moving constantly and avoiding Tim's hands. Anything can happen with heavyweights who have KO power, but smart money is on Arlovski, especially the longer this fight goes. Arlovski by TKO rd.3
"The Hunnington Beach Fag Toy" Frito Hortits (13-4) vs Ken "Formerly Dangerous Man" Shamrock (26-10-2): The only reason this fight is happening, is for Tito to win and rematch Chuck Liddell in January for the title. This is Dana White's plan. Both men claim to be healthy and in perfect shape. The problem is Ken is 43 years old! Let me say that again, Ken is 43 years old. Shamrock has lost 4 of his last 5 fights, 4 by TKO. Sakuraba, not known for KO power, severely rocked Ken in their bout before getting the win. Before that, Franklin dismantled Ken, then the quick Kimo win for Shamrock, and the 1st fight with Tito (where Ken was abused brutally for 3 rounds) to start the downward trend. Ken has always been a warrior, but time is not on his side and he is known to have problems fighting fellow wrestlers. Tito beat Forrest and Belfort by (controversial) split decision, and beat Cote who took the fight on short notice. Tito hasn't quite been the Tito of old, but enough to get key wins. The ground and pound is always solid when he can score the takedown. Ortiz has only been KO'd once in his career (Liddell) and is always in phenomenal shape. WINNER-Tito Ortiz Look I can't stand the guy, but he is 31, in his prime, and climbing his way back to a title shot. Ken is 43 (did I mention that) just trying to get a win at the twilight of his career. Ken's one shot is to catch Tito with a lucky punch (though his striking isn't amazing), or get a submission. This is Ken's last shot at glory and I wish him luck. Though after seeing their first fight, I wish Ken his health come Sunday morning. Tito by TKO rd.3
Frank Mir (8-2) vs Dan "Another Guy Nicknamed Sandman" Christison (8-3): After the disappointing loss to Pe De Cruz, this is yet another comeback for Mir, who was stripped of the heavyweight title after a motorcycle accident. Frank is a great ground fighter with slick submissions. Dan is a submission fighter (so why the Sandman nickname?) who can get KO's. He has reeled off 6 wins in a row. The deal is that when he stepped up in talent level (Severn twice) he has lost. This will be a big test for Dan, but a win puts him in the title hunt. WINNER-Frank Mir The loss to Cruz was a setback, but he suffered a brutal cut from which he could not really cover. I still think Frank can fight, and is at a higher level than Dan. Rumors have stated that Frank is not in great shape, but another loss could drop him from the UFC. Mir by submission rd.1
Josh Burkman (6-3) vs Josh Neer (17-3): Team Punishment (Burkman) vs Miletich Camp (Neer). This should be a really good fight with two very well rounded fighters. Both have all the tools on the feet, and on the ground. The strength edge goes to Burkman, but toughness goes to Neer. This is the hardest fight to pick on this card. WINNER-??????????? I don't know. Burkman is coming off a loss and must win, while Neer has been on a roll climbing the ladder. I'm just hoping for a good fight.
Yves Edwards (29-10-1) vs Joe "Daddy" Stevenson (24-7): Yves was on his way to the title fight when he was upset by Hominick. Stevenson took his fight with Neer lightly, and lost before his debut (now) in the lightweight division. Stevenson is brutal when in shape and motivated, but even then, getting down to the 155lbs. weight limit is tough. Both need the win, and the loser drops out of the lightweight title contention. WINNER-Yves Edwards Though both are experienced, Yves has been doing it at a higher level, and should have better stand up, and stamina. Yves by decision
Hermes Franca (14-5) vs Joe Jordan (19-9-2): Hermes is the current WEC lightweight champ and on a roll after a disastrous 2005. Joe is a decent fighter, but he is taking this fight on short notice and facing a higher caliber of talent than he is used to. WINNER-Hermes Franca Joe is just outmatched here and on short notice. Franca by submission rd.1
Drew Fickett (26-4) vs Kurt Pellegrino (6-1): Drew is coming off a loss to Burkman, but is a great submission fighter who is very tough. Kurt is relatively new and hasn't yet fought someone of this caliber (does this show seem full of mismatches, anyone?). WINNER-Drew Fickett Drew must win this against a relative unknown or look for new work. Fickett by submission rd.2
Jeff "Snowman" Monson (21-5) vs Anthony Perosh (5-1): The Snowman is a super strong submission fighter on the cusp of a heavyweight title shot. Anthony is relatively new and, damn I seem to be saying that a lot on this card. Anywho, can do subs as well. WINNER-Snowman Uh yeah, if Jeff loses this, I'll be shocked. Snowman by guess what, submission rd.2
Gilbert "El Peligro" Aldana (5-1) vs Cheick Kongo (7-2-1): Both guys are purely strikers, so this should be fun and quick. WINNER-Cheick Kongo C'mon, the guy has an awesome name, and hails from Holland (land of the strikers). Kongo by KO rd.1
Well, as far as PPV's go, this one is rather weak. There could be quite a few lopsided fights, but this is "The Year Of The Upset," so we'll see. I'd just save my money.-MMA Mafia
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