Despite initial reports that former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz had turned down a main event pairing with Rashad Evans at UFC 133, it appears that “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” has answered the call.
UFC President Dana White tweeted news of the matchup Wednesday. Ortiz steps in as a replacement for the injured Phil Davis at the Aug. 6 event, which will emanate from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Ortiz and Evans have met once before, fighting to a draw at UFC 73. Ortiz was penalized a costly point in the second round of the July 2007 bout for repeatedly grabbing the Octagon fence.
Ortiz recently staved off retirement by submitting Ryan Bader at UFC 132, the 36-year-old’s first win in nearly five years. Ortiz had gone 0-4-1 in his previous five bouts, dropping three straight fights in that span to Lyoto Machida, Forrest Griffin and Matt Hamill.
Like his new opponent, Evans is also a former UFC light heavyweight champion. “Suga” captured the title in 2008, knocking out Griffin at UFC 92. Evans’ glory would be short-lived, however, as he lost the belt in his first title defense to Lyoto Machida five months later at UFC 98. The defeat remains the only blemish on Evans’ professional record, as the 31-year-old rebounded from the loss by posting back-to-back victories over Thiago Silva and Quinton Jackson in 2010.
