Written by Scott Swerbinsky

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The MGM Grand in Las Vegas is home to the fight that is being billed as the biggest in UFC history. I’m not sure if I agree with that statement but it has the fight world buzzing and people paying attention.

The UFC heavyweight title is on the line and one of the most known fighters in the sport is back after a year layoff to defend that belt. Brock Lesnar returns to battle Shane Carwin in what has the making to be a great fight.

Brock Lesnar took the mixed martial arts world by storm coming over from the WWE. After losing his first fight in the UFC to Frank Mir, Lesnar has dominated his last three opponents. The last time we saw Lesnar, he was avenging his loss to Mir via TKO. He had some medical issues that led to his fight with Carwin cancelled and pushed back until tonight.

Shane Carwin didn’t sit back and wait for title shot and for Lesnar to get healthy. He also took apart Frank Mir in dominating fashion. That win solidified his place as the number one contender to the title. The victory over Mir also kept his perfect record intact and kept his streak of fights ending in the first round alive. Carwin is 12-0 and has never seen the second round.

Both fighters weighed in at the heavyweight limit of 265 pounds. Shane Carwin actually appeared to be the bigger man. Lesnar has never been in with anyone near the size of Carwin and we are going to learn a lot about both combatants.

Vegas odds makers have Lesnar a slight favorite to hold onto his belt. I am going the other way and like Carwin to be holding the heavyweight crown when it’s all said and done tonight.

Brock Lesnar is going to have a speed advantage and that’s probably it. Shane Carwin is just as good a wrestler, has knockout power in both hands, and also has been in with huge punchers and faced adversity in the octagon. Lesnar also might experience some cage rust, and Carwin isn’t a fighter to want to fight coming off of a long layoff.

July 4^th is Sunday but we are going to have an early fireworks display Saturday. The chances of this fight going the five round distance or ending by submission is slim to none.  I have a feeling we just might see another first round ending no matter who is victorious. Buckle your seat belts because this fight is going to be one helluva exciting ride.

I have two fights in mind when it comes to fight of the night candidates.

My first choice is fight that will kick off the pay per view event, Chris “Lights Out” Lytle versus Matt Brown. Both guys love to bang and have amazing, crowd pleasing styles. I wouldn’t expect too many take down attempts in this one. Each guy has a great chin as well as heavy hands. If you like a fast pace, don’t miss this bout.

The second fight I believe that will exceed expectations is George Sotiropoulos versus Kurt Pellegrino. I think Sotiropoulos is a sleeper in the 155 pound division and will contend for the title in two years or so. Both fighters are very technical, well rounded ,and this one is going to be fun to watch. Watch this one and thank me later.

Full fight card:

Champ Brock Lesnar vs. interim champ Shane Carwin (heavyweight title-unification bout)

Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Chris Leben

Matt Brown vs. Chris Lytle

Stephan Bonnar vs. Krzysztof Soszynski

Kurt Pellegrino vs. George Sotiropoulos

PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike TV)

Brendan Schaub vs. Chris Tuchscherer

Seth Petruzelli vs. Ricardo Romero

PRELIMINARY CARD (Un-aired)

Kendall Grove vs. Goran Reljic

Dave Branch vs. Gerald Harris

Forrest Petz vs. Daniel Roberts

Jon Madsen vs. Karlos Vemola

There are fans out there that think this card is average at best outside of the mega main event. I strongly disagree and believe this card is going to be the best that we have seen so far in 2010. The heavyweight title fight is huge, but the other ten fights are going to have the crowd buzzing and getting them ready for the action packed super fight to cap it all off.

I am pumped and ready for UFC 116, it’s going to be a fireworks extravaganza.