Written by Scott Swerbinsky

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UFC 61 is tonight on pay per view, and per usual, my cousin Scott is here to give you the lowdown on what to expect. With a couple matches of epic porportions, this is one of the most anticipated cards in UFC history. This Saturday’s UFC event from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas is titled Bitter Rivals. You think? In what is one of the best overall cards in some time, there are two awesome main events.

The fight most people are tuning in to see is Tito Ortiz vs Ken Shamrock 2. At UFC 40 in Novemeber 2002 Tito won in what was a brutal beating of the legend Ken Shamrock. The fight was stopped at the end of the third round. Even though the match was stopped the feud between these two former champs never ended. There is a hatred between the icons of the sport that you don’t see on a regular basis.

The dislike started way back at UFC 19(March of 1999) when Ortiz avenged an earlier loss to Shamrock training partner Guy Metzger. Tito won on a ref stoppage and then decided to flick off his down opponent and his corner. Ken was in the corner and it is a sight MMA fans know very well. Shamrock climbed onto the top of the Octagan and began yelling and pointing and the victorious Ortiz.  Tito has to be pulled away by his corner and the ref.  

Add all that up with both of them coaching on The Ultimate Fighter 3 show and we have a showdown MMA has waited for.  

Tito Ortiz is 31 years old and in the prime of his career. His cardio is unmatched and the ground and pound skills he possesses is top of the food chain. Ken Shamrock is 42 years old. He is no doubt one of the founding fathers of the UFC. That being said he seems to be well past his prime. He has suffered some bad beatings recently.  

I see Tito finally retiring Shamrock just like he has been hoping. He is just too superior at this point in his career.

Up after that fight in the main event of the evening will be for the Heavyweight Championship of the World.  Current champion Tim “the Maine-iac” Sylvia takes on former champ Andre “the Pit Bull” Arlovski in their third meeting. This is a rubber match.   

Arlovski won the first match in 47 seconds by heel hook at UFC 51.  Just two months ago Sylvia took the belt via a first round TKO at UFC 59.

Two of the heaviest hitters in the fight game squaring off for the belt. The winner establishes themselves as the man to beat for years to come.  

I look for this to be another fireworks display just a few days after the 4th. Arlovski will regain his belt in vicious fashion. He wants what was takien from him. I see Andre getting his belt back.

Other featured fights on the card:

Former Heavyweight Frank Mir takes on Dan Christison

Mir is looking to rebound from a beating at the hands of Marcio Cruz. He gets back on track here.

Josh Burkman vs Josh Neer

Two of the top up and comers in the 170 lb division get it on.

Yves Edwards vs Joe Stevenson

Edwards looks to end the title quest of the Ultimate Fighter 2 champ Stevenson which should be a dandy.

Jeff Monson vs Anthony Perosh

Monson is in line for a title shot vs the Arlovski Sylvia winner. He deserves it.

It will be another great UFC show from Vegas. Tune in for yourself, you will not be let down.