Mike Chiappetta • E-mail

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Their names are like buzzwords around the city today: Silva and Henderson. Their faces adorn most of the event's promotional artwork. It's almost as if they are the only two fighters getting down to business on Saturday night.

But even if the weigh-ins are about one last chance to build up awareness of the next night's big bout, they also give the rest of the fighters a chance to share in the weekend's hype.

In fact, there's so many name fighters on the card that a few months ago, Josh Koscheck was fighting Georges St. Pierre for a title shot, and now he's on the undercard.

Make no mistake, Henderson and Silva are the main draw here, but there's enough star power to give fans a sample platter of favorites. But if there was any fighter who managed to steal some of the UFC 82 thunder during the regular strip-and-scale routine, it was former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. After an 11-month absence from the octagon, the big man is finishing out the last fight on his current deal in an undercard bout with undefeated Jake O'Brien.

Arlovski, who tipped the scales at 241 pounds, received one of the biggest ovations of the night, and smiled out to the crowd as he took to the scale, then bared his teeth in his signature "Pitbull" pose before taking part in an intense staredown with O'Brien. UFC President Dana White made a point yesterday of saying that he was intent on re-signing Arlovski, and in case there was any question, the fans proved they want him to stay right where he is.

While O'Brien didn't get nearly the reception the ex-champ did, he certainly deserves some attention for simply even being here. Shortly after scoring a potentially career-changing win over veteran Heath Herring, O'Brien began suffering excruciating stingers. When doctors investigated to find out the origin of the pain, it turned out that the 23-year-old was suffering from a herniated disc and bone spurs in his neck that could have ended his career.

Though he was advised by some that his chosen occupation was just too dangerous to continue in, O'Brien looked for a solution to the problem, and eventually, doctors were able to replace his disc with a cadaver disc and place a titanium plate in his neck. After returning to training, he realized that fighting was still a possibility, and now, 13 months after his big win over Herring, he has an even bigger bout with Arlovski.

But their stories aside, the middleweight title fight is the one getting all the headlines, and with good reason, with both men considered among the top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

Henderson, the challenger most known for his Greco-Roman wrestling background, weighed in at 184.5 pounds. Appearing calm and relaxed, the former Olympian stepped on the smile and smiled at a section of the crowd chanting his name. Silva, the always smooth and confident champ, checked in at 185 pounds. Before the customary staredown, the champ and challenger shook hands, but Silva transformed into his cage persona, dropping his brows in intense focus, while Henderson smiled and held his fists up to accommodate the photo op.

Another interesting story in the mix is the return of former middleweight champ Evan Tanner, who hasn't been seen in the octagon since April 2006. The mercurial talent was once at the top of the mountain, but disappeared from action with personal problems that he has candidly and poignantly addressed on his personal website, EvanTanner.net.

Tanner's fight actually has potential title implications, with Tanner potentially playing the role of spoiler. UFC President Dana White has said that if his opponent Yushin Okami emerges victorious, he might be next in line to challenge for the middleweight belt.

One other fight that could lead to a title shot is the Jon Fitch-Chris Wilson welterweight fight. Fitch is the winner of 14 straight bouts, one of the longest active unbeaten stretches in the sport. His current seven-fight win streak in the UFC is the longest active stretch as well.

In the funniest moment of the weigh-ins, Dustin Hazelett strode onto the stage wearing a t-shirt that read "I'm not Jon Fitch, so stop asking." The two fighters do bear a striking resemblance and fight in the same weight class.

Full UFC 82 weigh-in results

UFC Middleweight Championship Match
Dan Henderson (184.5) vs. Anderson Silva (185)

Main Card
Heath Herring (248) vs. Cheick Kongo (233.5)
Yushin Okami (184.5) vs. Evan Tanner (185)
Chris Wilson (169.5) vs. Jon Fitch (170)
Alessio Sakara (185) vs. Chris Leben (185)

Undercard
Jake O'Brien (231.5) vs. Andrei Arlovs.ki (241)
Luigi Fioravanti (170.5) vs. Luke Cummo (170)
Dustin Hazelett (170) vs. Josh Koscheck (169.5)
David Bielkheden (170) vs. Diego Sanchez (169.5)
John Halverson (155) vs. Jorge Gurgel (154.5)

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