This Sunday, Zuffa presents UFC 133, which will be held at the Wells Fargo Centre in Philadelphia, U.S.A.
Originally, the card’s main event was slated to be Jon Jones’ first title defence, against contender Rashad Evans. When Jones withdrew due to injury, rising star Phil Davis was placed as a substitute.
When Davis was also forced to withdraw because of an injury, Tito Ortiz stepped up as a late replacement.
Main Event: Rashad Evans vs. Tito Ortiz
Analysis: As evidenced by his upset win at UFC 132, there’s still plenty of fight left in the veteran ‘Huntington Beach Bad Boy’.
His victory over Bader ended his losing streak of nearly five years, giving life to his flagging career. The younger Evans hasn’t fought in over a year, and is gunning for title shot glory after a few missed opportunities and a training camp split.
The two men are almost at par in terms of wrestling skill, but Evans is faster, more explosive and possesses superior boxing skills.
Look for Evans to enforce his game plan in a brutal war of attrition.
Prediction: Evans by unanimous decision
Co-main event: Vitor Belfort vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama
Analysis: The card’s co-main event features two fighters who are big celebrities in their respective homelands. The Brazilian Belfort looks to return to form after a one-kick knockout loss to middleweight champ Anderson Silva at UFC 126.
Meanwhile, the media-donned ‘Sexyama’ also seeks redemption after losing to Michael Bisping at UFC 120 last October. Akiyama’s undoing against Bisping was his rudimentary striking ability, and Belfort packs significantly more punch than Bisping.
Akiyama’s judo prowess will make it interesting, but Belfort, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, is no slouch when it comes to grappling.
Prediction: Belfort by TKO in Round 2
Other fights on the main card: Brian Ebersole vs. Dennis Hallman, Jorge Rivera vs. Constantinos Philippou and Mike Pyle vs. Rory McDonald
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