Sherdog.com Preview: UFC 61 “Bitter Rivals” Part I

No, it’s not an illusion. We are on the heels of yet another UFC show. You have to pay for this one though, and given the fact Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) has been vocal about wanting to silence Tim Sylvia (Pictures) and the well-documented history between Tito Ortiz (Pictures) and Ken Shamrock (Pictures), I wouldn’t miss this one.

The under card features five somewhat interesting match-ups. Gilbert Aldana (Pictures), whose corner could be heard to scream “don’t die on me bitch” when he fought Paul Buentello (Pictures) at UFC 57 (I heard this one myself as I was seated cage-side), will get a chance to make his camp proud against the fierce Frenchman Cheick Kongo. If Kongo is as good as advertised, we can expect a grand entrance and we may see him visit the “Headhunter” himself next.

“The Snowman” Jeff Monson (Pictures) keeps winning, using his undersized frame to wear down all comers. This time he meets “The Hippo” and this Aussie will have something to prove given his lack of activity in the ring.

We see the youth of Team Quest and Miletich Fighting Systems collide in the Octagon when “The Dentist” pays a house call to “The People’s Warrior.” Then school is in session as Drew “The Master” Fickett breaks it down for Octagon neophyte Kurt Pellegrino (Pictures).

And in the final first-half offering, UFC veteran Hermes Franca (Pictures) returns to the UFC after two years away and takes on Joe Jordan (Pictures), who replaces formidable youngster Roger Huerta (Pictures) on short notice.