It's Official: Tito Ortiz vs Rashad Evans at UFC 133

http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/07/13/tito-ortiz-will-fight-rashad-evans-at-ufc-133-after-all-accordi/

It was the fight that Tito Ortiz simply couldn't be talked into...until he was. Less than 24 hours after explaining via Twitter that he had turned down the fight because he had "a life and things to take care of," Ortiz was in against Rashad Evans at UFC 133 according to a tweet from UFC president Dana White.

"Get ready philly for Rashad Evans vs Tito Ortiz!!! Aug 6th LIVE on PPV at the Wells Fargo Center!!!!!!" White wrote at around 7:30 pm ET.

Ortiz's Twitter response was a more muted one some fifteen minutes before, as he wrote simply, "Only for the UFC!"

The move ended a furious day's worth of speculation about who would fill in for the injured Phil Davis on short notice, with both Ortiz and former UFC light heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida reportedly turning down the fight.

Ortiz seemed especially immovable in his initial response, explaining via Twitter:

"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! #positive"

Ortiz and Evans first met in the cage at UFC 73 in July of 2007, where they fought to a somewhat controversial draw after Ortiz was docked a point for grabbing the fence to avoid a takedown.

Ortiz would go on to lose three straight before salvaging his UFC career with an upset victory over Ryan Bader at UFC 132 earlier this month. Accepting the fight with Evans means he'll have just five weeks between bouts, and a little over three weeks to prepare, leaving him little time for the "peaking" phase that seemed so vital to him less than a day ago.

As for Evans, the move saves him from having to wait even longer for a fight after sitting out since May of 2010 waiting for his promised title shot, only to have then-teammate Jon Jones take his place after a knee injury sidelined him in the spring.

UFC 133 is slated for the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Penn. on August 6.

Props to Tito for stepping up, I really hope he wins but don't see it happening. Turns out Machida wanted Anderson money and Dana had no part of it so machida declined lol

Should be a good fight. I don't care who wins though. Respect to Tito for stepping up.

I want Tito to win it for the old timers who have been forced to call it quits

I want Rashad to just win because I want him to shut Jones the fuck up.

oh man if Tito wins this he is right back in the picture, Rashad loses there is no telling how far he goes down, got to be a huge letdown for Rashad, I was thinking at work today, they could've moved the Evans fight to the September Card with Rampagea V Jones, and have the two winners face ach other, but I guess not

Evans opens up as a -500 favorite, with the cage rust and considering hes coming back from injury I'd put down a $100 on Tito

cascade_run wrote:

oh man if Tito wins this he is right back in the picture, Rashad loses there is no telling how far he goes, probably fighting Bader, got to be a huge letdown for Rashad, I was thinking at work today, they could've moved the Evans fight to the September Card with Rampagea V Jones, and have the two winners face ach other, but I guess not

Shad can't offord to wait any longer considering the time he's already missed

No one knows if Jones-Rampage happens anyway. Either could get injured by then.

i see this match competative for 2 rounds.rashad will take over in the third and get the ud

freakzilla wrote:

No one knows if Jones-Rampage happens anyway. Either could get injured by then.

Solid point

Tito! Tito! Tito! Tito!

Tito will do nothing

ud shad

457 day layoff for Rashad who has had pretty sketchy cardio to begin with

On Thursday 14th July 2011, @titoortiz said:

I'm an average man with a monster heart. UFC asked me for my help and I'm here for them. Just want to show my true character by stepping up. Lets go!

Rashad takes over nothing in the third round. Tito will make him work all fight long, come the third round Rashad will be sucking wind hoping he doesn't get finished.

Rashad does tend to gas in fights, especially if he gets wobbled

I don't know who to root for...

Red pill: Rashad Evans title eliminator with a shot to potentially get back at the guy who forced him out of his camp. I side with Evans there and want him to get a shot at payback.

Blue pill: Tito is coming off his first win since forever and was pretty much publically forced into this fight by Dana White with Dana announcing TIto turned down the fight without anybody even asking or suggesting Ortiz...and he's old school. Hard to root against the guy.

I guess i'll just watch. Evans is going to win though.

How often does White out guy on not taking fights? He is letting the world know both Penn and Condit have ducked fights or rematches with Jon Fitch? Good point kings.

KingsOwn19 wrote:

I don't know who to root for...

Red pill: Rashad Evans title eliminator with a shot to potentially get back at the guy who forced him out of his camp. I side with Evans there and want him to get a shot at payback.

Blue pill: Tito is coming off his first win since forever and was pretty much publically forced into this fight by Dana White with Dana announcing TIto turned down the fight without anybody even asking or suggesting Ortiz...and he's old school. Hard to root against the guy.

I guess i'll just watch. Evans is going to win though.

Lol, exact same dilemma. Right now I'm leaning 51-49 to Rashad.

Tito! Tito! Tito!

fuck Tito it retarded that somehow the asshole that never respected the legends has come to symblize the "oldtimers"

anyone wonder with Davis and his physique backing out all of a sudden after the Marquardt stuff.........hmmm

Birdofthad wrote:

fuck Tito it retarded that somehow the asshole that never respected the legends has come to symblize the "oldtimers"

anyone wonder with Davis and his physique backing out all of a sudden after the Marquardt stuff.........hmmm

So all the fighters that have recently backed out of fights were for the same reason?

freakzilla wrote:

On Thursday 14th July 2011, @titoortiz said:

I'm an average man with a monster heart. UFC asked me for my help and I'm here for them. Just want to show my true character by stepping up. Lets go!

This is the kind of stuff you let other people say about you when do step up and show character. He's so full of himself.

Birdofthad wrote:

fuck Tito it retarded that somehow the asshole that never respected the legends has come to symblize the "oldtimers"

anyone wonder with Davis and his physique backing out all of a sudden after the Marquardt stuff.........hmmm

If you don't think titos a legend in this sport there's something wrong with u