UFC: 73 – Saturday night’s alright for fighting

Saturday night’s alright for fighting and this weekend is no exception.

One of the biggest Ultimate Fighting Championship events of the year takes place Saturday with UFC 73: Stacked featuring five main event fights, including two championship bouts.

But what might get most of the attention is one of the other fights – a grudge match between light heavyweights Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans.

You can bet UFC 73 at betED.com, which has Ortiz favored at -140.

The bout between Ortiz and Evans has been highly anticipated since April 7, when the two fighters were spectators at UFC 69 and got into an impromptu scrap in the stands.

Evans has a perfect 15-0 record.

The championship fights feature UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva in his first title defense against Nate “The Great” Marquardt, and UFC Lightweight Champion Sean “The Muscle Shark” Sherk putting his newly-won belt on the line against Brazil’s Hermes Franca. As well, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira steps into the Octagon for the first time for a heavyweight bout with Heath Herring.

“UFC 73 is one of the best cards we’ve put together this year,” said UFC President Dana White. “It’s going to deliver the one-two punch fight fans want – it has Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans, two all-state college wrestlers, both who dislike each other, settling their differences in the Octagon, as well as title defenses by our two champions.”

Tito “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Ortiz said his fight with Rashad will be an epic battle, and he predicts the California crowd will side with him.

“Everybody should expect fireworks. Rashad is standing in the way of my getting another title shot, and my prediction is that he won’t be able to handle my tempo or the 18,000 Tito Ortiz fans that are in Sacramento to see me win.”

Evans seemed unfazed by Ortiz’s comments.

“Tito needs to learn the meaning of respect. On July 7, I’m going to teach him what that’s all about. I’m focused and on a mission, and my goal is to knock him out.”

UFC 73 takes place at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, Calif., starting at 10 pm ET, 7 pm PT.