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UFC 133 live results, Evans vs. Ortiz

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UFC 133 takes place in Philadelphia Saturday night. The card is headlined by a light heavyweight bout between former light heavyweight champions Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz. Evans with a win will compete for the championship in his next bout, while Ortiz looks to continue an improbable comeback story following an upset win over Ryan Bader. Stay tuned for results throughout the evening.

Paul Bradley vs. Rafael Natal

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Bradley, a wrestling standout, is making his UFC debut. He was on the Ultimate Fighter reality show but was forced off early due to a breakout of type 2 herpes. Natal is 0-1-1 in the UFC but holds a victory outside the UFC over former middleweight title contender Travis Lutter.

Round 1. Bradley looks to close the distance throwing wild haymakers while Natal responds with more carefully aimed jabs. Natal snaps Bradley’s head back with a jab and Bradley begins bleeding from the nose. Natal also fires a series of leg kicks to keep Bradley off balance. Bradley lands his best shot of the fight thus far, a left hook. He half-heartedly looks for a takedown but it is defended. Bradley again lunges with big hooks but has his takedown attempt easily brushed off. Bradley connects with a big right hook but again has his takedown blocked. Natal lands a nice few jabs and leg kicks. Bradley catches a Natal leg kick and answers with a hard looping punch. Close round. Bradley landed the hardest punches of the round but Natal was more consistently effective offensively. 10-9 Natal.

Round 2. Bradley comes out swinging wildly. He hurts Natal with big punches and then takes Bradley to the ground. The takedown was an interesting decision because it appeared he had a chance to finish the fight. From top position, Bradley throws some punches and then backs out when Natal looks for a leg lock. They return to their feet. Back on the feet, Natal is a little more aggressive moving forward with straight punches while Bradley continues to throw more looping punches. Natal looks for a takedown and eats a knee for his trouble. Natal then lunges forward with a jab that connects well to the face of Bradley. Natal lands a few leg kicks that connect well. Natal is avoiding Bradley’s offense for the most part. After another hard leg kick from Natal, Bradley takes Natal down. Another close round. 10-9 Bradley.

Round 3. Natal moves forward with punches and gets hit with a big counterpunch that drops him to a knee for a split second. Natal backs up immediately. Natal has a strong chin. Natal is more active, throwing straight punches and leg kicks while Bradley mostly just avoids trouble. Natal throws a spinning backfist and in the process Bradley goes for a takedown but doesn’t get it. Bradley tries twice more but Natal shows great takedown defense in stopping him. He adds a few knees in the process. Bradley goes for another two takedowns and those are both blocked as well. Bradley pushes Natal against the cage until they are separated. Bradley catches a Natal leg kick and finally gets him down but Natal stands right back up and throws a wild punch that misses. They clinch against the cage and the crowd boos. This has been a very quick to boo crowd. 10-9 Natal, 29-28 Natal. This is a fight that could go either way.

Winner: Rafael Natal, unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).

Mike Brown vs. Nam Phan

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Brown is a former WEC featherweight champion with two wins over Urijah Faber. However, he is 35-years-old and has lost two straight fights and four of six. He desperately needs a win in this fight to revitalize his career. Phan is an experienced veteran of the sport in his own right and is coming off a very controversial decision loss to Leonard Garcia. That decision was one of the most criticized MMA decisions of the past few years.

Round 1. Brown throws a few wild punches and tries for a takedown but Phan defends against it. Brown shoots in again and gets a body lock. He pulls Phan down, takes Phan’s back, and throws some heavy punches to the side of Phan’s head. Phan doesn’t appear in huge trouble but he is doing nothing but covering up as Brown throws down punches. Brown just continues to maul Phan. Phan is doing nothing at all. Brown gets full mount and throws elbows and punches to the head. Phan finally stands back up with 20 seconds left. He eats a knee and Brown takes him right back down. 10-8 Brown.

Round 2. Brown goes for a takedown at the start of the round and works hard for it but isn’t able to secure it. Phan begins connecting with punches to the head and body. Brown shoots for another takedown but Phan avoids it. Phan lands another hard body punch and then lands a crisp hook to the head. Brown takes Phan down with two minutes left in the round but Phan gets back up. Brown throws three overhand rights in a row and each lands pretty well. Phan continues mixing up punches to the head and body. Phan throws more punches to the body than the vast majority of UFC fighters. Brown tries another takedown but can’t get it. 10-9 Phan.

Round 3. Phan lands a big straight right punch at the onset and goes to work with punch combinations. Brown fires back but isn’t able to connect as consistently as Phan. Brown takes Phan down a minute into the final round. Phan stands back up. Brown throws a few hooks that don’t land well and goes back to the takedown attempt. Phan blocks that takedown attempt and then blocks another. He lands a nice left hook to Brown’s head. Brown goes for another takedown and the crowd boos. Phan defends for the rest of the round. 10-9 Phan, 28-28 draw.

Winner: Mike Brown, unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28).

All three judges apparently gave the third round to Brown on the basis of unsuccessful takedown attempts.

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Johny Hendricks vs. Mike Pierce

Both Hendricks and Pierce are excellent wrestlers and prospects for the sport. Pierce is 4-1 in UFC with only a loss to Jon Fitch and Hendricks is 5-1 in UFC. Pierce relies more heavily on his wrestling while Hendricks is something of a wildman.

Round 1. Hendricks throws a head kick early and Pierce responds with one of his own. They briefly clinch with Hendricks throwing a few knees. Hendricks clinches and looks for a takedown but doesn’t come close. Hendricks takes Pierce down halfway through the round but Pierce gets right back up. Hendricks is more of the aggressor, moving forward and pushing the action while Pierce primarily responds. Hendricks lands some knees to the body and clinches against the cage. 10-9 Hendricks.

Round 2. Hendricks is again more active with punches and kicks early in the round. He shoots for a takedown but Pierce stops it. Hendricks goes for another takedown but Pierce blocks it again. They exchange punches from close range with Pierce landing a nice hook. Hendricks lands a few knees to the body and backs away. Hendricks goes for another takedown in the final minute. Pierce stops him. Very close round. 10-9 Hendricks.

Round 3. Pierce’s corner implores him that he needs to win this round and he goes for a takedown right from the beginning. Hendricks stops him. Hendricks lands a couple knees and Pierce goes right back to the takedown attempt. Pierce finally gets it with a big slam. Pierce drops down an elbow and some hammerfists. He lands some nice elbows. Hendricks pushes Pierce off but is reprimanded by the referee for an illegal upkick on the downed opponent. They clinch and Hendricks throws some knees while Pierce throws punches to the head. Hendricks shoots for a takedown but doesn’t get it as time expires. 10-9 Pierce, 29-28 Hendricks.

Winner: Johny Hendricks, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

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Ivan Menjivar vs. Nick Pace

Menjivar is a highly experienced veteran and has fought all over the world. Pace, by contrast, had his pro debut in 2008 and sports a 6-1 record. Menjivar did not make weight for this contest but Pace agreed to go ahead with the bout.

Round 1. Menjivar lands a nice head kick early. Pace tries a judo throw but doesn’t come close to getting it. Pace grabs a body lock and slams Menjivar down with two minutes remaining in the round. Pace passes guard and then grabs Menjivar’s back. Menjivar stands up with Pace still having his back and hooks in. Pace looks to grab a rear naked choke ala Frank Trigg/Matt Hughes. However, Menjivar brushes him off and they return to the feet. 10-9 Pace.

Round 2. They exchange low kicks. Pace mainly throws to the leg, while Menjivar rotates between kicks to the leg and body. Menjivar controls the standup and begins to throw a greater variety of strikes as he grows more comfortable. He backs Pace against the cage and unloads with punches and knees as Pace just defends. However, few of the blows penetrate Pace’s defense and Menjivar backs up. Menjivar lands a hard right hook against the cage. Pace gets a takedown with a minute left in the round. Pace throws some punches down as the round comes to a close. 10-9 Menjivar.

Round 3. Menjivar goes back to work with punches and kicks. Surprisingly, it is Menjivar who looks for a takedown a minute and a half in. Pace lands a nice straight right punch but Menjivar answers with a combination. Menjivar focuses on Pace’s leg with a series of low kicks. Pace injures Menjivar’s eye with a shot and Menjivar goes into retreat mode with a minute left in the fight. Menjivar squints and backs away while Pace pushes forward with wild strikes. Pace lands a really nice flying knee. Extremely difficult round to score. Menjivar dominated more of the round so he gets it. 10-9 Menjivar, 29-28 Menjivar. Pace may get the decision but if he doesn’t he has no one but himself to blame given his abandonment of takedowns for much of the second and third rounds.

Winner: Ivan Menjivar, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

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The crowd boos the decision loudly. It’s an understandable sentiment given the way the fight closed, but Menjivar was successful for a much longer period of time in that third round. Pace fought a dumb fight.

Chad Mendes vs. Rani Yahya

Mendes is the top contender for the UFC featherweight title. With a win, he will face the winner of Jose Aldo vs. Kenny Florian for that championship. Yahya, a jiu jitsu ace, will look to upset Mendes’ title hopes.

Round 1. Neither man is doing much early. Mendes throws a few leg kicks. Yahya looks to close the distance for a takedown but doesn’t come remotely close. Yahya shoots for a takedown from seemingly five miles out and Mendes defends with ease. Mendes is just throwing leg kicks and staying away from trouble. Yahya tries for a takedown but Mendes throws him off with ease. Yahya tries a spinning back kick but misses. Yahya moves in for a takedown. Mendes throws him down and then hits him with a hard punch as he gets up. 10-9 Mendes.

Round 2. Mendes changes things up with a big takedown less than 20 seconds into the round. He then stands up rather than play the ground game with Yahya. Yahya tries for a takedown and doesn’t come close. Mendes connects with an overhand right. Mendes then takes Yahya down again. Mendes stands back up voluntarily. He then avoids a Yahya takedown attempt with ease. When Yahya can’t get the fight to the ground, he usually looks very bad going back many years. This fight is no exception. Mendes isn’t exactly delivering a scintillating performance in his own right, however. 10-9 Mendes.

Round 3. Yahya moves forward with punches. Mendes catches him off balance and takes him down. Mendes drops a few elbows. Mendes stands up and avoids a Yahya attempt to hook his leg on the way back up. Mendes then takes Yahya back down. Mendes eventually stands up. Mendes loses his balance momentarily and Yahya moves in throwing big punches. Mendes takes Yahya down again and then delivers a somersault senton splash at the close of the round. Very bad fight. 10-9 Mendes, 30-27 Mendes.

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Winner: Chad Mendes, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans are shown backstage to the fans. The crowd mercilessly boos both.

Alexander Gustafsson vs. Matt Hamill

Gustafsson is considered an excellent light heavyweight prospect with a long frame and solid striking. Hamill is a well known deaf fighter who has a movie out on his life.

Round 1. Gustafsson circles quickly around the cage with Hamill taking the center. Neither man lands much early, although Gustafsson does connect with a nice uppercut. Hamill lands a nice left hook and opens a cut near the right eye of Gustafsson. Gustafsson lands a nice pair of punches moment later. Neither is throwing much and the crowd boos. 10-9 Gustafsson.

Round 2. Hamill closes range and clinches but Gustafsson quickly backs off. Hamill looks for a takedown but doesn’t come close. Gustafsson opens up with some big punches but Hamill is able to defend. Gustafsson’s length and reach is the big difference in this fight. By moving around quickly and not letting Hamill get close, he is able to dictate the tempo of the fight and avoid for the most part any offense from Hamill. Hamill grabs a leg and looks for a takedown but can’t get it. Gustafsson stuns Hamill with a big uppercut and head kick. He lands another two that drop Hamill. Gustafsson then goes to town with a vicious series of elbows and punches on the grounded Hamill. He mounts Hamill and keeps firing big blows until the referee mercifully stops the contest.

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Winner: Alexander Gustafsson, TKO, round 2.

Rory MacDonald vs. Mike Pyle

MacDonald is one of the most promising young fighters in the sport, a 22-year-old Canadian prodigy with an 11-1 record and an exciting fighting style. The crafty and highly skilled Pyle will look to slow MacDonald’s ascent, like he did with John Hathaway last year.

Round 1. MacDonald immediately closes distance and begins throwing jabs. He brushes off a Pyle takedown attempt and drops Pyle with a jab. It wasn’t a particularly hard shot and Pyle gets back up. Pyle shoots for a takedown. MacDonald looks to grab a guillotine but loses it on the way to the ground. However, MacDonald then stands back up. Pyle throws him back down but he gets up again. MacDonald staggers Pyle back with punches and then looks for a choke as Pyle charges forward. Pyle ends up on his back and MacDonald drops down to throw some punches. He drops some heavy punches and Pyle turns and covers up. MacDonald keeps throwing heavy leather and the fight is stopped. It was a left that did the big damage and brought about the conclusion of the fight. Very impressive performance by MacDonald.

Winner: Rory MacDonald, TKO, round 1.

Jorge Rivera vs. Costa Philippou

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Rivera is one of the longest standing members of the UFC roster, fighting off and on for the company since UFC 44. Philippou is a late replacement with a 7-2 (1 NC) record.

Round 1. Rivera opens with some straight punches and a couple leg kicks. Philippou pushes him against the cage and gets a takedown. Rivera stands back up. They clinch for a while, with neither man gaining much of an advantage. Philippou lands a nice uppercut and a few additional punches on Rivera upon separation. 10-9 Philippou.

Round 2. They start the round by swinging wild hooks. Philippou drops Rivera with a punch and looks to finish on the ground. Rivera covers up and tries to survive and the fight looks very close to being stopped. Rivera, however, gets out of danger and takes top position. He then starts throwing punches of his own from the top as the crowd cheers wildly. Philippou stands back up. Philippou pushes Rivera against the cage but Rivera reverses and takes Philippou down. Philippou grabs an omoplata and locks it up. Luckily for Rivera, omoplatas just aren’t very effective at securing submissions so Rivera just sits in it for a while. Philippou rolls out and takes top position at the end of the round. 10-9 Philippou.

Round 3. Philippou lands a nice uppercut early. Rivera connects with some heavy punches but Philippou fires back and gets a takedown with four minutes left in the contest. Rivera gets back up to his feet with three minutes left. They clinch again next to the cage. Rivera pulls Philippou down and throws a few punches when he has the chance. They exchange punches and fall to the ground with Philippou on top to end the fight. 10-9 Rivera, 29-28 Philippou.

Winner: Costa Philippou, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

In the post-fight interview, Joe Rogan claimed this was a great fight. Sorry Joe, it really wasn’t.

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Brian Ebersole vs. Dennis Hallman

Both Ebersole and Hallman are very experienced and knowledgeable veterans with particular skill in submissions. They are also both very eccentric. Ebersole has his chest hair shaved in the shape of an arrow pointed towards his head while Hallman is wearing some of the skimpiest fight attire you’re ever going to see. It’s like a contest to see who looks sillier.

Round 1. Hallman throws a head kick and takes Ebersole to the ground. He gets a body triangle on Ebersole’s back and looks for a rear naked choke. ‘Put some clothes on’ chant is directed at Hallman. That’s a UFC first. Ebersole gets out of trouble and takes top position. Hallman looks for a guillotine choke. Ebersole gets out and throws some punches from the top. Ebersole stuns Hallman with a big elbow and follows with some more big shots that have Hallman in trouble. The referee stops the contest.

Winner: Brian Ebersole, TKO, round 1.

Ebersole told Joe Rogan he wants to be on the returning Fear Factor. Charles Barkley got a big reaction when shown in the crowd.

Vitor Belfort vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama

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Belfort and Akiyama are two of the top middleweights in the world. Belfort is best known for his electric handspeed but often struggles when his fights go into deep water. Akiyama has a judo background and well rounded game, with a knack for exciting fights and the best entrance in the sport.

Round 1. They start with leg kicks at the same time. Belfort throws a couple head kicks. Belfort drops Akiyama with a straight left punch and then opens up with lightning fast punches as he is apt to. Akiyama works his way to his feet but then gets sent down again and Belfort continues with punches until Akiyama is out face first.

Winner: Vitor Belfort, KO, round 1.

Mickey Rourke and particularly Bernard Hopkins got nice reactions when shown in the crowd.

Rashad Evans vs. Tito Ortiz

Rashad Evans has been the top contender for the UFC light heavyweight title for over a year, but a series of bad breaks have kept him from challenging for the title. If he wins this fight, he will take on the winner of the Jon Jones vs. Quinton Jackson title fight in Denver. Evans has issues with both men. Ortiz won his first fight since 2006 by upsetting Ryan Bader at UFC 132 and took this fight on short notice. A win would continue a remarkable comeback story for Ortiz.

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Round 1. ‘Tito’ chants as the fight starts. Ortiz connects with a straight punch but Evans answers right back with a hook. Evans follows with a nice overhand and they trade from close distance. Ortiz shoots for a takedown and gets Evans down against the cage. Evans uses the cage for leverage and throws punches from his knees. Evans stands back up and they separate. Evans opens up with big punches and pummels Ortiz against the cage to the head and body. Ortiz seems in huge trouble but he doesn’t go down and answers back with knees. Ortiz stays near the cage which is a danger zone. Evans lifts Ortiz over his head and drops him down as emphatically as you’re going to see. He then opens up with huge punches from the top and Ortiz just covers up. Evans takes side control and continues hammering Ortiz for the remainder of the round. 10-8 Evans.

Round 2. Evans is dancing around on his feet at the start. Ortiz charges forward with punches but Evans moves out of the way easily. Evans lands a big punch and goes for a takedown but Ortiz grabs his neck. Ortiz looks to have a guillotine sunk really deep and the crowd goes crazy but Evans is able to work his way out of danger. Evans then passes guard into side control. Evans then gets Ortiz in crucifix position and starts nailing Ortiz with elbows. Ortiz is able to get his right arm free. Evans keeps throwing down punches as Ortiz just covers up. Ortiz rolls for a heel hook but Evans gets out and goes back to dropping elbows and punches. Ortiz works his way out of trouble and starts to stand up. Evans lands a really heavy knee to the body of Ortiz and Ortiz collapses. Evans begins just brutalizing Ortiz with punches and the fight is finally stopped. Evans looked phenomenal in dominating Ortiz.

Winner: Rashad Evans, TKO, round 2.

--Todd Martin

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