Passing the Guard: UFC 133 Preview

Music to listen to: Koyannisqatsi by Philip Glass

This would make the top-10 if I ever had a walkout song before an MMA fight.

 

Quick preview of UFC 133 for you out there.

 

Rashad Evans vs. Tito Ortiz:  Evans is finally going to be fighting in the Octagon after being off for more than a year.  His last fight was in May 2010, a win over Quinton Jackson.  Since than Evans has suffered injuries and bad luck when trying to get another fight.  Even this contest has changed because Phil Davis was originally supposed to be the opponent but he got injured himself.  The end result is a rematch against Ortiz, which ended in a draw back in July 2007.

Ortiz was probably going to be released from the UFC for good if he didn’t put on a good performance against Ryan Bader back on July 2 at UFC 132.  Not only did Ortiz perform well, he got a first-round submission against an opponent no one thought he would beat.  It was also the first submission victory for Ortiz since his victory over Yuki Kondo back at UFC 29 in December 2000.  Now Ortiz is doing a good for the UFC and stepping back into the cage in a little more than a month to face Evans.

Both guys have changed over the last three years and I doubt that we will see a draw this time.  Evans tried to get takedowns in the first fight but was relatively unsuccessful because Ortiz’s takedown defense is outstanding.  Ortiz will try to get a big shot in early to daze Evans and use his patented ground and pound.

However, Evans is the quicker fighter and will use his standup to change the pace and frustrate Ortiz and fans to a decision victory.

Prediction: Evans by decision

Vitor Belfort vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama:  If this fight was five or six years ago, I would be more interested.  I know that Akiyama has excellent judo and will get one of his throws on Belfort and try to get a submission.  However, Belfort will be too strong for this and has superior striking.  The only way that I can see Akiyama winning this contest is to grind out a decision.  I doubt this happens.

Prediction: Belfort by second round TKO

Here are the rest of my predictions:

Brian Ebersole def. Dennis Hallman via decision

Constantine Philippou def. Jorge Rivera by TKO

Rory McDonald def. Mike Pyle by decision

Those are my thoughts, what are yours?