The summer months are usually busy in the sport of mixed martial arts. Tomorrow night, UFC 84: Ill Will is set to kick off a big summer for MMA.

The last time we saw B.J. Penn he was headlining what was in my opinion, the best fight card in UFC history. Not necessarily in name recognition, but in action and results, UFC 80 exceeded any and all expectations - and was the center of it all as he handed out a bloody beat down of Joe Stevenson.

The last time we saw Sean Sherk, he was the lightweight champion of the UFC having won three straight fights. Then he received a positive test for steroids. That was a year ago. Since then Sherk was stripped of his title and suspended. To this day Sherk maintains his innocence (From the Miami Herald):

”I know what I did and what I didn’t do,” he said during a recent conference call to promote the event. “I proved myself. I went above and beyond what it took for me to prove myself innocent. Anyone who followed my appeal and how it was handled and all the evidence would know, if you actually do the research, you’d know I didn’t take anything.”

If Penn believes Sherk, he’s not letting on (From the LA Times):

“You’re a coward if you take steroids,” said Penn. “People know how to beat these tests. They get doctors, they do things to hide. . . . That’s why this will be a historic night. If I can beat these people, I’ll show the kids you can train clean and win these fights.”

See that? B.J. Penn just wants to be a positive role model for the children. It should be a great fight as Penn attempts to hold on to the belt Sherk so badly wants to get back.

The rest of the televised card looks like this:

  • Keith Jardine vs. Wanderlei Silva
  • Wilson Gouveia vs. Goran Reljic
  • Lyoto Machida vs. Tito Ortiz
  • Thiago Silva vs. Antonio Mendes

Jardine - Silva and Ortiz-Machida are both worthy of main event status. In addition to star power, three fighters on the main card- Reljic, Machida and Silva - are undefeated.

Tomorrow also marks what in all likelihood will be Tito Ortiz’s last fight in the UFC. Ortiz has a longstanding feud with UFC President Dana White over respect and money. With Ortiz’s contract running out when his fight ends tomorrow, he is prepared to walk away. (Probably to EliteXC.) White - who is known to be a bit crass - says that Ortiz… well…

“Tito is a fucking idiot,” White said. “He’s one of the dumbest human beings I’ve ever met. Everything that comes out of his mouth makes no sense.€

“I put up with his shit when he was a good fighter,” White said. “He’s not anymore.€

“He’s not in anybody’s Top 10,” White said. “I have no interest whatsoever in being in the Tito Ortiz business. … I’ve never wanted to see anyone get their ass kicked worse than I want to see Tito get his kicked next Saturday night.€

As you can see, White enjoys taking the high road. Hopefully, the night lives up to the hype.

mickeys.jpgAlso of note: Bud Light kicks off its official sponsorship of the UFC tomorrow night. Unfortunately, that means goodbye Mickey’s Malt Liquor. Of course, Tito Ortiz immediately signed an endorsement deal with Mickey’s in yet another attempt to stick it to White and the UFC. Get stung indeed.

[LA Times]

[Miami Herald]

[Cage Today]

[As always, MMAjunkie.com]