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MMA’s primetime network television debut is only a day away, when EliteXC takes center stage on CBS with ‘Primetime.’ The event will air live on CBS at 9PM ET/6PM PT. The entire preliminary card will be streamed live on ProElite.com and CBSSports.com starting at 7PM ET.

Before I get to the picks, I have two quick updates from fiveouncesofpain.com to pass along. In a press conference today, Gary Shaw stated that “roughly” 7,000 tickets have been sold for the event. Also, the second CBS show will take place sometime in the late summer or early fall, in lieu of the originally speculated date of July 26. This is a very smart move considering the promotion’s lack of depth in its roster.

In the latest episode of ESPN’s ‘MMA Live,’ John Anik confirmed that Andrei Arlovski will be fighting at Affliction ‘Banned’ against his long-rumored opponent, Ben Rothwell. Arlovski has been one of the last fighters to be confirmed for the card because his UFC deal ran out only a couple of months ago, but included an exclusive negotiating period clause that kept him from signing a deal with a different organization.

No additional details were given by ESPN, however Arlovski was recently added to Adrenaline MMA’s website and appeared on their promotional material for a meet-and-greet, so it’s likely that Arlovski has actually signed a deal with Adrenaline MMA, and in turn, like Tim Sylvia and Ben Rothwell, Arlovski is being lent out to Affliction. Of course, this is just speculation on my part, although it makes the most sense.

It would seem like that is the direction the UFC is moving towards by the insight Dan Henderson provides in this interview with MMARated.com. But will Rich Franklin be sticking around at middleweight for another fight? Hendo plans on staying at middleweight for a shot at redemption against Anderson Silva, so this one isn’t a lock.

Photo courtesy of Sherdog.com

Tito Ortiz confirmed to MMAWeekly.com that is not coming back to the UFC.

Me going to somewhere else is 100% happening.

Later on after the fight was over, I was sitting down going over the loss, I think that’s when it really touched me that that’s going to be my last time walking out for the UFC. It’s really hard to say, but the president, the way he treats me, I can’t continue on with them. He’s a monster and I’m going to go elsewhere where they respect me.

No, I’m not going back to the UFC, I don’t want to. I can sleep now and not worry about what’s going to be said about me. I don’t have to worry about what I have to say to make sure I say the right thing. I’m sick of kissing ass and I’m not doing it anymore.

Tito stated after his loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 84 that he would take the next few weeks to mull over his decision to stay or go, which was a departure from his stance that he wasn’t coming back in the weeks leading up to the fight. It appears he’s changed his tune again, so don’t be surprised if he changes his mind one more time and ends up staying after all.

Mayhem cracks me up.

Mayhem, unfortunately, will not get his dream fight against Kazushi Sakuraba at DREAM 4. He will have to get a win over BJJ wizard Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza and hope for Sakuraba to defeat Melvin Manhoef to possibly face him later in the tournament. Those two would make for one hell of a grand prix final though.

Mayhem Acknowledging The ‘Chick’ In The Thirteenth Row

JoAnne of MMA Girls interviews Mayhem after the jump.