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UFC 40: Vendetta will host the biggest fight in modern mixed martial arts to take place on American soil: Tito Ortiz versus Ken Shamrock. "Everyone wants to see this fight," says Joe Silva, UFC Vice President of Talent Relations. "I think it is a huge match-up. It has even captured the interest of most of the other fighters." Silva also believes the epic encounter holds its own against the monumental match-ups of UFC past, including Gracie-Shamrock II and Ortiz-Frank Shamrock. "It has had more build up than those other fights because people have known for a long time that they don’t like each other."

Even though Shamrock had a stint in the WWF and Ortiz has a history of laying it on thick, the mutual disdain is genuine, according to Silva. "It’s not exaggerated at all, especially on Ken’s side," he says. "Ken is a proud guy, and he really feels that Tito has disrespected him and his team, and he is out for some payback."

The fighters will have 25 minutes to settle their rancorous dispute in front of a packed MGM Grand in Las Vegas. By the end of the night, debates currently raging among fans, fighters and media alike should conclude. Until then, the questions will remain unanswered: Can Ortiz take Shamrock down? Who will have the advantage on the feet? Will Ortiz’s rehabilitated knee function at 100-percent? Will Shamrock’s age fail him late? And finally, which of these two mixed martial arts luminaries will have his hand raised while the other suffers defeat?

As important as the bout will be for Ortiz and Shamrock, it may be even more crucial to the UFC. With two of the biggest stars in the sport headlining the card, UFC 40 is destined to attract a pay-per-view audience far exceeding previous numbers under Zuffa’s reign. Potential lifelong fans will evaluate the action, and, if the show delivers, a burgeoning future could be secured.

While those viewers may tune in to see the Ortiz-Shamrock clash, they’ll also be treated to an undercard ripe with talent. The attention the main event will garner offers a golden opportunity to expose future stars. "You definitely want to show off some of your top talent on what will potentially be your biggest show to date," says Silva, "but you also have to have talent ready for the next show."

FCF:   Your last fight was at Shockwave, facing the Japanese fighter Iwasaki. What did you think of the event as a whole, and what did you think of your fight in particular?
VS:     The even was a spectacle, the biggest event ever. In terms of production it didn’t disappoint at all. As for my fight, it was quick but I managed to turn it into a good fight, so it was nice. If they send the guy in my path, I’ll knock him out for sure.

FCF:   Once again you’ll be facing a Japanese fighter, and this has been generating some criticism from the public. How do you see this? Would you like to face American fighters like Quinton Jackson or Brazilians like Ricardo Arona?
VS:     I don’t chose opponents in fact, so for me the nationality of my opponent doesn’t matter. But this thing happens due to the media in Japan. It’s like when Sakuraba, as an example, was beating Brazilian fighters this would give a good media for PRIDE. So now they want to se a Japanese beat me, so they’re matching me up against Japanese fighters so all the fans there will go to see if this time Silva will lose to a Japanese. This is excellent in terms of media in Japan for the event. But for me it doesn’t matter, I don’t pick opponents and I’ll brawl with anyone. It can be black, white, Asian, I’m not a racist! [Laughs] Whomever they put in the ring with me will be treated in the same gentle way [Laughs]

FCF:   This time your title defense will be against Hiromitsu Kanehara, who is a very experienced fighter. What do you know about him as a fighter?
VS:     I know his name! [Laughs] I don’t know a thing about him, I don’t know who he is, and this is the way I like it.

FCF:   This is your second title defense in PRIDE as their Middleweight champion, but you fought in a number of non-title matches since you became the champion. Do you have a different feeling when your belt is on the line?
VS:     It’s different for sure. It’s gives you a different feeling ’cause you know you can’t make any mistakes. I’m taking this fight very seriously, I’m very well prepared and the guys can expect a great performance ’cause I’m well prepared both physically and technically.

FCF:   Will the belt come back with you on your luggage?
VS:     Sure! If God helps I’ll retire wearing this belt.