Opportunists and Underdogs: The Weekend Preview

This weekend will leave you breathless.

It will leave you hoarse.

It will leave you wishing for a miracle, and excited for some shockers.

It's the weekend that brings out the inner beast in fans.

That's right...it's Super UFC Weekend!!

Here are two events you have to see:

UFC 81: Breaking Point

Tonight, the UFC will crown a new world heavyweight champion to replace the retiring Randy Couture. After a UFC Fight Night Live that left everyone talking, this should deliver a great knockout punch.

But even among several good pay-per-views, this one will be the one to watch, for one reason: Frank Mir vs. Brock Lesnar.

For months, all the talk around the UFC has centered Lesnar's arrival into the Octagon—and tonight, all that talk ends.

According to UFC President Dana White, if all the reports on Lesnar are true, he could have what it takes to be a heavyweight champion in the UFC.

However, there are those that are skeptical about Lesnar's chances facing Mir—and there are those who are skeptical about Mir's health after his horrific motorcycle accident.

But after tonight, win or lose, Lesnar will have started on the road to earning respect in the Octagon.

Lesnar was arguably one of the greatest amateur wrestlers in history, and his background on the mat should give him an advantage, as Mir is the type of fighter who can plant a submission on you from any position.

Grappling wise, they are pretty even, but Mir has more experience in the cage than Lesnar. Lesnar is a little quicker than he used to be, and has a substantial bag of tricks from his days as an amateur wrestler.

Mir has stated that he is not taking Lesnar likely, and Brock has admitted that Mir is no mere stepping stone. Tonight, it will be all about respect and pride. Expect fireworks—and a slugfest.

If Lesnar wins this one, his naysaysers will still be busting his chops—but they won't be as loud about it. Mir is dangerous, and Lesnar knows that.

But Brock is just as dangerous, and Mir knows that too.

Super Bowl XLII

After a wild postseason, it comes down to the Ultimate Opportunists known as the New England Patriots against the Ultimate Underdogs in the form of the New York Football Giants.

After several tumultuous seasons, the Giants are back in the spotlight, and look to complete their Cinderella run. 

Standing in their way is a team that is chasing history.

The Patriots know that the '72 Dolphins will be watching this Super Bowl with great interest. Not since those Fins' perfect season has a team had a chance to finish their season with a goose egg in the loss column.

But this isn't about the teams or the players. This is about history. This is about opportunity. The Patriots and Giants duked it out in impressive fashion back in December in what was most likely the best game of the season. Eli proved he's for real, and Tom Brady proved why he's an MVP quarterback. 

This time around, Plaxico Burress had lit the fire under New England's receiving corps as well as their defense, by saying that the Giants receivers were as good, if not better than the Patriots receivers.

Talk about an insane statement. Plaxico better step up tomorrow if he hopes to keep whatever respect his fellow players have for him.

Later on tomorrow, I'll breakdown the game a little better. For now, let's bask in the glow of a Super Sunday not filled with politicians—I'm gouging my eyes out as we speak—and enjoy smoking-hot-tomato Alicia Keys' pregame show, and apparently-still-alive's Tom Petty halftime show.

That's a-spicy weekend—I gotta stop eating at the Olive Garden.

Have a Saturday. See ya Sunday.