Written by Scott Swerbinsky

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Tonight, on SpikeTV,  fight fans will get see to see some of the best young talent in the UFC, for free, on basic cable. The UFC Fight Night card is loaded with up and comers and promises to live up to the hype surrounding it.  My cousin Scott says that the main event has Fight of the Year written all over it, and he previews that fight as well as the rest of the card for us in his latest. This past Saturday at UFC 80 fight fans were treated when they got to see the best lightweight in the world in BJ Penn. He also just happens to be one of the best fighters in all of mixed martial arts period. That great event was seen on pay per view.

Tonight, on SpikeTV,  we'll get see to see some of the best young talent in the sport on basic cable. The UFC Fight Night card is loaded with up and comers and promises to live up to the hype surrounding it.

Live from the Palms in Las Vegas, two excellent all around fighters will take center stage. Both guys are veterans of The Ultimate Fighter reality show and have a lot to prove.

Mike "Quick" Swick is making his welterweight debut after going 5-1 at middleweight. Greeting him in the octagon is Josh "The People's Warrior" Burkman. On paper, this has fight of the year written all over it.  The all around game of both fighters is very solid. I expect a standup clash that might produce some quick action and heavy hands flying.

Mike Swick lived up to his nickname early on in his UFC career. His first four fights, all victories, in the UFC didn't go past the first round. His last fight however didn't go as well. Swick suffered a tough decision loss to a much bigger fighter in Yushin Okami. He was overpowered and dominated on the ground. That loss pushed him to a decision to drop down a weight class, which should be more natural for him.

Josh Burkman on the other hand is coming off a win over Cleveland's own Forrest Petz at UFC 77. In my eyes Petz won the fight taking two of the three rounds. Burkman did very little in that match and walked away with a gift win. He'll be looking to regain his aggressive style in a battle of young contenders.

If Swick can get to the ground, I think he'll have an edge due to his size advantage. I expect to see a lot of leather flying in this one and the bigger puncher will walk away victorious. I'm a big Burkman fan and expect him to ruin Swick's debut at welterweight. I also wouldn't be surprised to see a Swick knockout either.

Not knowing what's going to happen in mixed martial arts makes it the greatest sport in the world today.

One thing I do know is that there are a few future champions on the undercard tonight.

Thiago Tavares is a lightweight contender coming off of a loss to Tyson Griffin. He brings he's 2-1 UFC record into the cage. He'll battle Michihiro Omigawa, who is looking for his first UFC victory. I expect Tavares to dominate and get back on the winning track.

Nate Diaz will step in with Alvin Robinson in another lightweight showdown. This has potential to steal the show as both fighters have exciting styles and like to go toe to toe.  I can't wait for this one.

My favorite up and coming star in the UFC is Gray Maynard. "The Bully" is coming off of his nine second knockout win at UFC Fight Night back in September. Maynard is another rising title contender in the lightweight division. He'll look to move to 2-0-1 in UFC when he scraps with Dennis Siver. I fully expect a Maynard win to keep that unbeaten streak alive.

Full fight card:

Josh Burkman vs. Mike Swick

Patrick Cote vs. Drew McFedries

Nate Diaz vs. Alvin Robinson

Thiago Tavares vs. Michihiro Omigawa

Alberto Crane vs. Kurt Pellegrino

Gray Maynard vs. Dennis Siver

Cole Miller vs. Jeremy Stephens

Corey Hill vs. Joe Veres

Justin Buchholz vs. Matt Wiman

A very solid fight card that should deliver a great night of fights. True fight fans wouldn't expect anything less. The UFC has put on one excellent show after another. This one should be no different.

After tonight, UFC 81 is right around the corner on February 2^nd. Until then, stay tuned and enjoy the fights. I know I will.