Tito’s pulling for Arlovski.

Props: Chicago Sun Times

Tito Ortiz didn’t predict a winner for the Jan. 24 bout between Andrei Arlovski and Fedor Emelianenko, but Ortiz did state a preference.

“I would love to see Andrei win,” Ortiz said. “I hope he does win.”

Ortiz will be doing color commentary for the card, which is promoted by Affliction and Oscar De La Hoya’s “Golden Boy Promotions.”

Ortiz and Arlovski are UFC alums. Both are former champions in the UFC.

“I’ve known Andrei for a long time, and I sat down and talked to him,” Ortiz said. “I told him he has to move his feet and defend the takedown. Once he puts his hands on him, Fedor is going to shoot.”

Conventional wisdom is that Arlovski owns the advantage in the stand-up game, and Fedor is better on the ground.

“I believe that 100 percent,” Ortiz said. “I believe for Fedor to win he has to get the takedown and submission. For Andrei to win, he has to defend the takedown and look for strikes.

“I really don’t think Fedor has faced anybody at the level of Arlovski’s size and speed and striking skills.”

But Ortiz understands this is Arlovki’s biggest test as well. Fedor is considered the No. 1 heavyweight in the world.

“If I were a betting man, I’d probably pick Fedor,” Ortiz said. “It’s almost 50-50.

“I think it’s going to be an exciting fight to watch. I’m excited to commentate on it. And I’m just excited to be part of Affliction.”

Anyone who read the above article knows what Tito is really thinking….and it’s that he thinks that Arlovski is getting destroyed.  If you need further information which allows me to think that, here you go:

“If I were a betting man, I’d probably pick Fedor,” Ortiz said.

Tito loves his money, and if he were a gambling junkie, we all know he’d bet right.  I agree, and if I had the money to throw down, I’d throw it on Fedor without thinking twice.  It’s kind of hard not to in my opinion considering Fedor brutally destroyed the same guy who had previously beaten Arlovski on two occassions (once by ownage, once by boring-as-shit decision).  I know that’s not what one should do when deciding who they think will win, but I’m doing it because Fedor hasn’t had the up-and-down career like Arlovski has.  I’m sure Andrei will come into this fight as much prepared as he possibly can be, and of course he can win the bout, anything can happen in MMA, but I think Fedor’s simply got it going for him right now, and I think he’ll make another example out of another former UFC heavyweight champion.  Whatever happens though, I expect it to be a good fight and in all truth I could give two shits on who leaves the winner.