With Davis injured, it will be Evans-Ortiz at UFC 133

By KERITH GABRIEL, gabrielk@phillynews.com
Posted: July 14, 2011

Only a month after a bout that helped revitalize his fight career, UFC light heavyweight Tito Ortiz will have his chance to build on it.

Phil Davis was injured while training for his main event against Rashad Evans at UFC 133, so Ortiz, fresh off a first-round submission of Ryan Bader at UFC 132, will fight Evans at the Wells Fargo Center on Aug. 6. It will be a rematch of their 2007 draw at UFC 73.

A source close to Davis told the Daily News he hurt his knee. Ironically, in April, Davis was named a substitute for light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who had to pull out after injuring his hand.

Initial reports said Ortiz turned down the fight because of a bruised knee suffered in the Bader fight, but money apparently talks, as UFC president Dana White announced the change on Twitter yesterday.

"If Tito Ortiz can beat Rashad Evans, he's back in the title picture," White said last night. "This is a huge fight, and we are excited it's in Philly."

With Jones set to defend his title against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135 in Denver, the winner of Ortiz-Evans conceivably could become the No. 1 contender for the light heavyweight title, though that is not yet confirmed by UFC. *

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