Thursday 14 July 2011

UFC 133: Evans vs. Ortiz II conference call highlights featuring Dana White

UFC President, Dana White took up the mantle earlier today to explain the situation surrounding the UFC 133 main event and how it came about that former light heavyweight champion, Tito Ortiz will step up at short notice to take on Rashad Evans in a rematch of their 2007 bout.
Check out the highlights of the call from below:
- The UFC found out last week that Davis’ knee was injured, but were awaiting MRI results to see if he could fight.
- Tito said he had personal things going on and that he couldn’t fight when he was called.
- Machida agreed to the fight, then his management later proceeded to ask for “Anderson Silva money,” but Dana said when he accomplishes what Anderson has in his career, he’ll be paid the same money he is paid.
- Dana said he did not expect that from Machida.
- Tito stepped up and took the fight at the same monetary terms of his contract.
- Dana says that the UFC signed the deal with Tito a long time ago and that they didn’t renegotiate his contract for the last fight because they figured he would lose against Bader and it would be his last fight.
- Rashad is definitely the next in line, but Dana is still sore over him sitting out waiting for Shogun.
- If Tito beats Rashad he is in title contention.
- Dana says Tito was a one-dimensional fighter because he fought best as a ground and pound specialist, but he has great BJJ.
- Dana says he likes dealing with this new Tito Ortiz.
- If Tito didn’t take the bout, they were looking at Vladimir Matyushenko as an opponent for Rashad.
- Rashad told them to get any opponent they can and not to bother calling him for approval because he would fight anyone who accepted the bout.
- Machida’s relationship with the UFC could be strained because of his contract demands.
- White pointed out that Lyoto was begging him to get back into the cage to fight and he said “he had his chance.”
- Bringing in a 205′er from Strikeforce didn’t cross White’s mind because in his words “Who would I have brought in?”
- White feels Ortiz will have the advantage because Rashad will have ring rust playing against him.
- Machida’s camp has not been in touch with the UFC since turning down the fight.
By Michael Pepper.

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