Davis injured, out of ufc 133

GDPofDRC wrote:

Give him the janitor I guess

Yuck.

Then who big shot.

Ali wrote:

FFS.

I don't get why Tito declined, it's not like the Bader fight took alot out of him. Plus he's not exactly got alot of time on his side to fill that pension fund.

Machida had less reason to say no. At least Tito is older and is just getting over his injuries but Machida has already destroyed Evans and has been off for 2 months after an easy fight.

GDPofDRC wrote:

Then who big shot.

I suggested earlier putting either Ace or Lil Nog in with Evans and giving the guy left The Janitor.

maybe he can't make the cut in time? who knows

GDPofDRC wrote:

Then who big shot.

Ali's idea earlier is looking better-

Rashad Evans vs Rich Franklin/Lil Nog
The Janitor vs Rich Franklin/Lil Nog

Tito Ortiz's Decision Stirs Debate Between Opportunity and Drawbacks

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/7/13/2273871/ufc-tito-ortiz-decision-stirs-debate-between-opportunity-and-drawbacks

The mixed martial arts world was buzzing Tuesday night after news broke that NCAA Division I wrestling champion Phil Davis was forced to withdraw from a scheduled UFC 133 main event showdown with Rashad Evans due to a knee injury. The news created a whirlwind of comments from fans and media alike regarding its implications on the outlook of the UFC's light heavyweight division along with speculation pertaining to possible opponents. Lyoto Machida was reported as the replacement for Davis, but several outlets confirmed that the fight had yet to be set in stone. The updated news item fueled speculation even further, and Tito Ortiz's name was front and center due to his impressive performance against Ryan Bader and the short time he was inside the Octagon.

Quotes derived from a recent interview with Ortiz by SBNation's Luke Thomas only exacerbated the speculation. If Ortiz had stated he could make a quick turnaround, why isn't he being considered? UFC President Dana White later confirmed that Ortiz was offered the fight, but he turned down the opportunity. Ortiz himself took to Twitter to give us his reasons why:

I have a life and things to take care of. The fight game is about making the right choices of my career. If you knew what I have been going through you all would understand. Peaking for a fight is what makes a fighter unstoppable! Timing is everything in life. This is a rebuild year for me not do or die. The time will come again! #positiveless than a minute ago via TweetCaster Favorite Retweet ReplyTito Ortiz
titoortiz


The initial reaction from most fans, including myself, was that Ortiz has blown a huge opportunity at one last run at relevance in the UFC. Sporting a 0-4-1 record before upsetting Bader, Ortiz has run out of gas at this late stage in his career, and it seemed logical that he would take a fight with Evans, especially considering the fact that he had once went toe-to-toe with the former champion at UFC 73 back in July of 2007. This may be the last run of solid paydays Ortiz has the chance to grab before hanging up the gloves for good, and the logical thing to do would be to strike while the iron is hot, or in more specific terms -- Get your ass back in the spotlight while you're riding high from the victory a man who everyone thought would crush you.

In retrospect however, perhaps it's more rational to take a step back and look at this from a different viewpoint. For any fighter to accept this fight, they would need to endure a speedy training camp to prepare for a fighter who is well versed in the art of wrestling and the use of quick hands to bombard opponents. To sit on our pedestals and comment from our couches that Ortiz is a moron for not accepting this fight seems harsh and hasty.

Star-divide

I focused on the adaptability issues of taking short notice bouts after Rick Story was upset by Charlie Brenneman at UFC on Versus 4, although the situation was more extreme than the current Evans-Davis debacle. Story was in the main event and found an accepting opponent in Brenneman only hours before the weigh-ins. It was a last second issue, and Story suffered from it. We can argue that professionalism and the entire situation is something combat sports athletes must endure, but it was a bad situation for Story regardless.

The real question is whether anyone should take this fight on two to three weeks notice with a serious disadvantage of not peaking at fight time. Even Machida, who dismantled Evans at UFC 98, needs time to prepare, and I'm not under the belief that two weeks in enough time. Rick Story got literally 24 hours, then was soundly out wrestled by a different fighter than he was originally expecting. What's the true timeline on how much time it takes to prepare for an opponent and peak? Some guys can do it in four weeks, others in eight weeks, it's different for every fighter.

For Ortiz, I imagine there are other concerns. Adaptability is a problem, but his wrestling style has the advantage of being much more reliable in terms of a quick turnaround. The problem I forsee is that Ortiz is seriously concerned about his future, understands that he needs time to promote fights, and has the knowledge that this is likely his last opportunity to find a bit of relevance with the fanbase before making one last run toward the top. A two-week turnaround against Evans, who is far more improved than he was four years ago, isn't helping Ortiz achieve those goals. It's a two-sided debate backed by a huge payday to do the UFC a favor against the idea that Ortiz could put together a prolonged run against lesser opponents to earn a couple of bigger paydays when he's ready.

Most fans stick Ortiz in the group of fading legends. It's the obvious category due to Ortiz's awful record in recent years, but we aren't inside Tito Ortiz's mind. People talk about how fighters should retire. I would know, I've said those very words before. But in reality, it isn't up to us. Do fans even realize how hard it is for an athlete to give up something they've been doing for their entire lifetime? It isn't easy. It takes a strong mind to weigh the risks vs. the rewards and walk away when those risks are too much. Ortiz believes there are more rewards in waiting than there are in taking a fight with Evans. We might think it's stupid, but it may be the best decision Ortiz will ever make.

How about throwing either Matt Hammill or Stephan Bonnar into the mix? Rashad fights Franklin with Lil Nog vs either Bonnar or Hammill?

Mike Chiappetta MMA

Quote :

From what I can gather, it sounds like @TitoOrtiz is reconsidering the possibility of stepping in and facing Rashad Evans

!!!TITO TITO TITO!!!

Unless weight was an issue, what a stupid decision by Machida to not take this fight

killerofchicken wrote:

Mike Chiappetta MMA

Quote :

From what I can gather, it sounds like @TitoOrtiz is reconsidering the possibility of stepping in and facing Rashad Evans

!!!TITO TITO TITO!!!

Atta boy Tito.

Vince McMahon would solve this quite easily...Jon Jones vs. Quinton Jackson becomes....A TRIPLE THREAT MATCH.

KingsOwn19 wrote:

Vince McMahon would solve this quite easily...Jon Jones vs. Quinton Jackson becomes....A TRIPLE THREAT MATCH.

bobbitt15 wrote:

Unless weight was an issue, what a stupid decision by Machida to not take this fight

Agreed. The fact that Rashad has been out for so long and he has already destroyed him should've made it a no brainer for him.

I get the quick turnaround for everyone, Rashad has to fight, sounds like Ortiz put his heart and soul into that last training camp, I still think that Machida with his style would have the upper hand in a fight with Rashad on three weeks notice, and he is still in line for a title shot so by beating him you would get catapulted to that spot, Ortiz V Evans will do some big numbers though, and should make for an interesting, hopefully exciting fight.

Not that being on Dana's good side is all that matters but Machida could've taken this fight against a guy who he matches up great with, and with a win almost certainly would've fought the Rampage-Jones winner

Instead he says he'll accept the fight then asks for a ton of dough and bails on it. Nice

I'm thinking Dragon has enough respect for Evans that he feels just up and taking a fight with him on such short notice can backfire. Evans is pretty much through with a full training camp and ready to go. Machida was still waiting on being booked for a fight that would likely take place a few months from now. Machida seems like a guy that places a lot of value on a good training camp.

Dana said both Chael and Leben texted him saying they would fill in for Davis

bobbitt15 wrote:

Dana said both Chael and Leben texted him saying they would fill in for Jones

Lol, I was thinking those 2 guys also but knew Dana wouldn't accept.

bobbitt15 wrote:

Dana said both Chael and Leben texted him saying they would fill in for Jones

You mean Davis?

OU wrote:

bobbitt15 wrote:

Dana said both Chael and Leben texted him saying they would fill in for Jones

You mean Davis?

Maybe they know something we don't

Will we finally get the Davis vs Hamill match we were suppose to get? Hamill stepped up and took the fight with Rampage to help out the UFC and Davis was stepping up to fight Rashad and was even willing to fight with the injury. The fight makes even more sense then it did the first time around.