UFC 133 line-up disappoints fans
Tito Ortiz is awarded a spot in the main event
Autumn McDowell
Contributor
The Ultimate Fighting Championships’ next fight card has gone from good to bad to ugly.
The original fight card for the bout, which is to take place in Philadelphia on Aug. 6, boasted a number of top-contender fights that would have any fan excited. However, the quality of fights on this card seems to be dropping faster than Nate Marquardt’s testosterone levels.
Initially, UFC 133 was to be headlined by Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis, with the winner receiving the next shot at the light heavyweight belt. Unfortunately for fans, Davis was forced to pull out of the fight due to a knee injury and apparently the only available replacement was Tito Ortiz.
How Ortiz was able to get anywhere near the top fight of this card is outrageous. In fact, the UFC couldn’t have picked someone more undeserving of a major fight than Ortiz. The guy has been less than impressive during his last four years competing inside the octagon, as he boasts a 1-4-1 record in his last six fights. His most recent win came earlier this month, when he shocked the world by actually finishing a fight against former reality-show contestant Ryan Bader. Had Ortiz lost his fight against Bader, he would have been tossed to the curb by the UFC, but fans weren’t so lucky.
Most fans were unaware that a win against Bader automatically makes you eligible for a top contender fight. But whatever the case may be, it seems as though fans will have to wait a little bit longer before saying a final goodbye and good riddance to “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy”.
Although Ortiz had originally declined the opportunity to step up and face Evans, he has since had a change of heart, as the rematch against Evans suddenly seems appealing. It could be because Ortiz will have a chance to redeem himself, but the most likely reason is probably that he will have a built-in excuse when he loses. Ortiz is famous for annoying and outlandish excuses during his post-fight interviews, once claiming that he had a cracked skull going into a bout. It is almost a guarantee that once Evans has his hand raised, Ortiz will whine and complain that this is his second fight in just over a month.
The first match between the pair occurred back in 2007 and ended in a draw after Ortiz wouldn’t stop grabbing the cage despite numerous warnings. It will not be shocking for this fight to go the distance once again. However, it will be Evans that ultimately leaves victorious.
Although numerous fans were enraged upon the announcement that Ortiz would now have his name on the main event, they had some comfort in knowing that the co-main event would not disappoint. However, that fight has since been pulled from the card.
Scheduled for the co-main event was Rich Franklin vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. However, the injury bug has bitten the light heavyweight division once again and Nogueria was forced to withdraw from the contest. After looking frantically for a replacement, UFC matchmaker Joe Silva was unable to find a suitable opponent. As a result, the fight has been scratched.
Slipping into the co-main event slot will be Vitor Belfort vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama. This fight is rather intriguing, as Belfort has knockout power in both hands, while Akiyama is a master at submissions. This fight appears to be a true clash of styles and will come down to execution of a game plan.
Both fighters have been up and down throughout their fighting careers, going on tears at some times and tail spins during others. While Belfort is coming off of a respectable loss to superhuman Anderson Silva, Akiyama has suffered two losses in a row to Chris Leben and Michael Bisping. Providing that Belfort can defend the takedown long enough to start chucking bombs, this fight will not go past the first round.
Even though UFC 133 seems to be falling apart, the UFC still has a few more fight cards planned for the summer, which include Silva stepping back into the octagon on August 27 to face one of the only people to ever put a blemish on his record, Yushin Okami. Other fights on the card include the rematch of Mauricia Hua vs. Forrest Griffin and Brendan Shaub vs. Minotauro Nogueria. Barring untimely injuries, UFC 134 will be a fight card that will actually be worth purchasing.
UFC schedule overview
UFC 133: Evans vs Ortiz- Aug 6
UFC live 5: Hardy vs Lytle- Aug 14
UFC 134: Silva vs Okami- Aug 27
UFC fight night: Shields vs Ellenberger- Sept 17
UFC 135: Jones vs Rampage- Sept 24
