Tito Ortiz had a lot of problems coming into UFC 132. He hadn’t won a fight since 2006. His long-time girlfriend, Jenna Jameson, had engaged in a very public feud with him. And UFC President Dana White told the world he needed a victory against Ryan Bader to keep his job in the UFC. With his back against the wall, Ortiz delivered:
The victory was Ortiz’s first since his last shellacking of Ken Shamrock in 2006, and his first finish of a non-Shamrock opponent since a first round drubbing of Elvis Sinosic in June of 2001.
It will be interesting to see where Ortiz and Bader go from here. The UFC pays Tito far too much to hang around and fight mid-card guys. I expect to see him matched up with the winner of Rich Franklin and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira’s fight at UFC 133.
Bader’s case is interesting. He’s only 28, but he’s now lost two big fights in a row. While no one will fault him for running into uber-prospect Jon Jones, losing to Tito Ortiz, in 2011, is a scarlet letter he’ll carry for the rest of his career.
More UFC 132 coverage from BE after the jump.
- Post-Fight Recap and Analysis – Mike Fagan
- The Day MMA Won The Combat Sports War – Josh Nason
- Why the Bantamweight Division Needs Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber 3 – Fraser Coffeen
- Bloody Elbow Radio UFC 132 Review
- Dominick Cruz Defeats Urijah Faber By Decision – Josh Nason
- Post-Fight Press Conference Video
- Chris Leben Knocks Out Wanderlei Silva In 27 Seconds – Josh Nason
- Tito Ortiz Fends Off Retirement – Matt Bishop
- Tito Ortiz vs. Ryan Bader Fight Video Highlights – ESPN
- Tito Ortiz Submits Ryan Bader In The First Round – Josh Nason
- Dennis Siver Defeats Matt Wiman By Close Decision – Josh Nason
- Carlos Condit Knocks Out Dong Hyun Kim In The First Round – Josh Nason
- Melvin Guillard Knocks Out Shane Roller In First Round – Josh Nason
- Rafael dos Anjos Knocks Out George Sotiropoulos In 59 Seconds – Josh Nason
- Brian Bowles Defeats Takeya Mizugaki by Unanimous Decision – Leland Roling
- Anthony Njokuani Dominates Andre Winner – Leland Roling
- Aaron Simpson Puts Brad Tavares Through the Grinder – Leland Roling
- Jeff Hougland Showcases Diverse Skills, Decisions Donny Walker – Leland Roling