The UFC invades Columbus, OH for the second time in less than a year when UFC 82: Pride of a Champion takes place this Saturday, March 1st. Being that I'm on vacation this week, I don't have much time to actually do a full blown write-up on the event. Just know that the way the fight card is set up, viewers, whether you're there in person or watching on PPV, are in for one hell of a show.

The main event features quite possibly the best mixed martial arts fighter out there today in Anderson Silva. He takes on former PRIDE legend, Dan Henderson, in a bout to unify the UFC and PRIDE middleweight titles. Henderson lost his light heavyweight title several months ago to Quinton Jackson. At that time he held bot the middleweight and light heavyweight titles for PRIDE. If he loses this weekend, he'd be the first to lose a title in consecutive fights. Chances are, that's exactly what's going to happen.

Silva is coming off defending his title against Rich Franklin. He's looked impressive in every fight he's been in since becoming champ, and even leading up to winning the title to be more accurate. He's being touted as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. This weekend he'll be on display once again to show that that title isn't fictional.

Along with Silva vs. Henderson, there are many other fights of great interest on the card, including what should be a great heavyweight battle between Heath Herring and Cheick Kongo. Listed below are the fights taking place Saturday night complete with my predictions.

PPV CARD (televised fights)

Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson (unification of middleweight titles)
Prediction: Silva

Heath Herring vs. Cheick Kongo
Prediction: Kongo

Chris Leben vs. Alessio Sakara
Prediction: Leben

Yushin Okami vs. Evan Tanner
Prediction: Okami

Jon Fitch vs. Chris Wilson
Prediction: Fitch

PRELIMINARY BOUTS (may not be televised)

Andrei Arlovski vs. Jake O'Brien
Prediction: Arlovski

Luke Cummo vs. Luigi Fioravanti
Prediction: Fioravanti

Dustin Hazelett vs. Josh Koscheck
Prediction: Koscheck

David Bielkheden vs. Diego Sanchez
Prediction: Sanchez

Jorge Gurgel vs. John Halverson
Prediction: Gurgel

Overall Prediction Results: 43-32