The injury riddled UFC 133 Event is finally set to take place this saturday at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Injuries to Jon Jones, Phil Davis, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Alessio Sakara, Vladimir Matyushenko, and Riki Fukuda had left UFC officials scrambling to replace all the said fighters. What we are left with is still an intriguing rematch from there UFC 73 bout between Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz, with the winner making their case for a title shot for the Light Heavyweight title. Vitor Belfort has his own title aspirations as he takes on Judoka Yoshihiro Akiyama which surely has the potential to be on the better fights of the year. As disappointing it is to see so many stars go down to injuries it's cards like this that have lower expectations that really can delivery some quality bouts.
Rashad Evans vs Tito Ortiz
15-1-1 Record 16-8-1
31 Age 36
5'11 Height 6'2
74.5" Reach 74"
206 Weight 205
-450 Odds +300
How they got here: After an injury to Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones, Phil Davis stepped in to face Rashad Evans, then an injury to Davis finds us with the current main event with Tito being Evans's 3rd opponent. Ortiz steps into the main event with less than a months notice after defeating Ryan Bader in a career saving bout. Evans returns to action after having to pull out of a title fight against Shogun Rua in March , his last bout was against rival Rampage Jackson in May of last year which he won by decision.
What to expect: A vast difference in the direction of each career since their last fight against each other with Evans went on to go 5-1 while Ortiz has gone 1-3 while 3 other bouts being cancelled due to injuries. The time difference between their last bouts is also the opposite as Evan's hasn't been in the cage for 15 months while Ortiz just competed 1 month ago. It could be argued that the time between fights for either fighter could be a benefit or even a liability. This fight could very well look alot like their first bout with wrestling being a deciding factor for the victor, but I think it will be Rashad's improved standup and desire to get back into the title picture that will be too much for Ortiz to handle. To Ortiz's credit his back is a little bit away from the wall this time around coming off his big win over Bader and coming to the UFC's rescue taking this fight on short notice.
My prediction: Evans by Decision
Vitor Belfort vs Yoshihiro Akiyama
19-9 Record 13-3-1
34 Age 36
6'0 Height 5'10
74" Reach 75"
185 Weight 185
185 Weight 185
-280 Odds +220
How they got here: Both fighters are looking to right the ship and get back into the win column. Belfort is coming off his title fight loss to Anderson Silva and wants another crack at the champ. Akiyama who could find him self winning his 3 straight Fight Of The Night award with Belfort will actually want to win the fight as well as he has lost his 2 previous bouts.
What to expect: Fireworks, hopefully. Both have shown in the past that they have no issue getting into a slugfest but with Akiyama having lost 2 in a row and training under Greg Jackson you would think that there will be some sort of gameplan involving Akiyama's great judo and getting the fight into the clinch. Belfort on the other hand would benefit in a brawl with the power and speed he has in his hands and will no doubt be looking for the highlight reel ko.
My prediction: Belfort by TKO 2nd Round
Brian Ebersole vs Dennis Hallman
47-14-1 Record 49-13-2
30 Age 36
6'0 Height 5'9
73" Reach
170 Weight 170
-175 Odds +135
How they got here: Ebersole is coming off his UFC debut and upset win over Chris Lytle at UFC 128. Hallman has taken full advantage of his UFC return having won his last 2 bouts with the promotion.
What to expect: Who knows? with the unorthodox Ebersole. I do know Ebersole will want to keep the fight standing and to confuse Hallman with his creative and unorthodox striking like he did against Chris Lytle. Hallman will definitely want to get this fight to the ground and should have the advantage there and could look for a submission.
My prediction: Ebersole TKO 2nd Round
7-2 Record 19-8
31 Age 39
5'11 Height 6'1
73" Reach 73"
195 Weight 185
+120 Odds -145
How they got here: The 3rd attempt to book a Alessio Sakara vs Jorge Rivera was again cancelled due to an injury to Sakara. Phillippou steps in to face Rivera and is coming off a loss in his UFC debut. Rivera is coming off a loss of his own to Michael Bisping and has mentioned retirement could be in his near future.
What to expect: Although Phillippou does show he has some power in his punches he probably will not want tostand with the more experienced Rivera. It's on the ground that Phillippou has the distinct advantage and will be looking to test Rivera's submission defense in what still should be a pretty competitive fight where ever it ends up.
My prediction: Phillipou by Decision
Rory MacDonald vs Mike Pyle
11-1 Record 21-7-1
22 Age 35
6'1 Height 5'11
76.5" Reach 74"
171 Weight 170.5
-230 Odds +170
How they got here: MacDonald continues to be on the top prospects in all of MMA is coming off his biggest win in his young career where he out-muscled and out-suplexed Nate Diaz in a Decision win at UFC 129. Pyle has now won 3 in a row in the UFC and looking to play spoiler for the 3 fight in a row as he was the underdog in his last 2 bouts.
What to expect: Pyle will want to drag this fight onto the ground and into deep waters as he does have an advantage on the ground and in experience. But it's MacDonald that is improving his game with each fight and should be able to use his superior wrestling to control Pyle on the ground or if it does stay standing he should be able to pick apart Pyle with a more dynamic striking game.
My prediction: MacDonald by Decision
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