UFC 61 July 8th, 2006

**FairlySquarely** · 06-26-06, 09:01 AM

the ortiz/shamrock match should be a no brainer. tito is still in great fighting shape, while shamrock is only aging as we speak. it's been a long time since shamrock had a good fight, and if griffin couldn't stop tito, shamrock won't have a chance. the only way i see shammy winning is if tito slips and gives him a leg for an infamous shamrock leg lock. the odds, and father time are both against ken.
Pick: Tito by stoppage/decision

arlovski/sylvia is a little more tricky. either of these guys can win if they force the other to fight their type of fight. as much as i would like to see arlovski take the belt back, his dismal performance during their last bout only confirmed his notorious weak chin. arlovski has incredible speed (both hands and feet), great sambo techniques, and powerful punches. he's undoubtebly the more athletic of the two. however, arlovski's problem is that he can dish it out, but can't take it; and sylvia is the wrong person to face if you can't take a punch. if sylvia has anything going for him, it's his two meat hooks for hands.

i started to question arlovski's heart after seeing sylvia drop him during their last encounter. arlovski did not show the same resilience that sylvia did after taking a big punch. while sylvia fought his way back up to ultimately counter arlovski, the pitbull only ducked for cover while sylvia rained punches from above. it was almost as if arlovski was more concerned about ruining his face than escaping his current position.

if arlovski uses his speed to his advantage, he can catch sylvia with another good blow and hopefully end it with a quick submission. but if he decides to go toe to toe with sylvia, i feel that the ending will be a repeat of their last match. when fighting sylvia, you will be forced to exchange fists at least once in order to take him down. i don't like arlovski's chances of surviving that exchange. if there's one thing you can't train, it's a weak chin. advantage: sylvia.
Pick: Sylvia by knockout/stoppage

**Illusion** · 06-26-06, 07:08 PM

Nice write-ups FS, thanks.

**moses millsap** · 06-26-06, 10:26 PM

I thought Tito got lucky in his last match against that young kid, Forrest something I think. I had him losing that match. Ken Shamrock is old as F though.

Thanks for the opinions on the match, I usually just watch for action.

**Illusion** · 06-27-06, 03:31 AM

Originally posted by OWNED

I thought Tito got lucky in his last match against that young kid, Forrest something I think. I had him losing that match. Ken Shamrock is old as F though.

Thanks for the opinions on the match, I usually just watch for action.

That Forrest Griffen match really close. Tito would have lost if it weren't for that takedown in the 3rd round.

**Illusion** · 07-05-06, 08:51 AM

Here are the odds for the entire card

Sat 7/8 Frank Mir vs Dan Christison
07:00 PM 5 Frank Mir -246
6 Dan Christison +226

Sat 7/8 Yves Edwards vs Joe Stevenson
07:00 PM 9 Yves Edwards -217
10 Joe Stevenson +197

Sat 7/8 Andrei Arlovski vs Tim Sylvia
08:00 PM 1 Andrei Arlovski -258
2 Tim Sylvia +238

Sat 7/8 Tito Ortiz vs Ken Shamrock
08:00 PM 3 Tito Ortiz -538
4 Ken Shamrock +488

Sat 7/8 Jeff Monson vs Anthony Perosh
07:00 PM 11 Jeff Monson -600
12 Anthony Perosh +540

Sat 7/8 Drew Fickett vs Kurt Pellegrino
07:00 PM 13 Drew Fickett -157
14 Kurt Pellegrino +147

Sat 7/8 Gilbert Aldana vs Cheick Kongo
07:00 PM 15 Gilbert Aldana +114
16 Cheick Kongo -124

Sat 7/8 Josh Neer vs Josh Burkman
07:00 PM 7 Josh Neer -117
8 Josh Burkman +107

**Illusion** · 07-05-06, 08:53 AM

It looks like money is starting to come in on Shamrock and really pooring in on Sylvia.

**goldengoat** · 07-06-06, 04:01 AM

ken's only hope is for a fluke cut on tito

**doc** · 07-06-06, 10:46 AM

I took Sylvia and Shamrock on value alone a couple of weeks ago.

I put the Sylvia fight at a toss up with a slight lean on Arlovski, but tons of value in a line for a guy who we know can be Andre.

As far as the Tito fight, Ortiz wins and probably pretty easily but you can't pass on anything +500 or better on Shamrock.

I will look at the rest of the card later today..

**goldengoat** · 07-10-06, 11:35 PM

ken is such a has been

that was pathetic as expected maybe even more so

**FairlySquarely** · 07-11-06, 12:28 PM

hopefully people cashed in on sylvia. i predicted a ko/stoppage, but i forgot to consider the fact that they both might be gun shy due to the previous fights' outcomes.

**goldengoat** · 07-14-06, 08:42 PM

i'm sure you all heard about the november possibility of wanderlei silva vs chuck liddell

this is prolly got open at even and will draw a huge amount of action I would think

i got liddell but this one can go either way

liddell has the superior chin and hits slightly harder. his lateral movement has improved since couture took him.

silva has the edge in speed and the thai clinch, especially his knees