By:  Robert Rousseau

Rashad Evans was supposed to fight Jon Jones. Then, for a minute, he was going to get that rematch with Lyoto Machida. But when Machida asked for more money- too much, in Dana White's eyes- the opportunity was presented to former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz. And wouldn't you know it...Ortiz took it.

Coming off of Ortiz's biggest wins in five years over Ryan Bader, "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" was given the chance of a lifetime. With one win, he could put himself back in title contention. The question is, did he?

Early on, the two traded left hooks with Ortiz getting the better of things. Next came a solid low kick by Evans. Ortiz grazed him with a right hand. Evans landed a nice right hand. The two clinched and traded strikes. Moments later, Ortiz dropped down for a double leg and took Evans down. Evans immediately sat up along the cage wall. Ortiz tried to drive him into the fence. Evans hit him with some pitter-patter strikes on the wall and got up. Then they separated. And that's when the two began trading, with Evans nailing Ortiz with some big shots. However, Ortiz weathered the storm. Ortiz landed some nice knees; Evans hit home with an elbow. Then Evans picked Ortiz up over his head, slammed him into the canvas, and unleashed a flurry of right hands that put his opponent in big trouble. However, Ortiz weathered the storm again, but found himself in Evans' side control. Ortiz used the wall to gain a better position, but was still pounded at the bell.

Round one goes to Evans easily.

After over a minute had gone by in round two, Evans shot in and took Ortiz down. However, Ortiz nearly nabbed a guillotine choke, though with the half guard he was unable to net the submission. From there, Evans took side control. He began raining down lefts, but Ortiz got through. Still, it all eventually led to Ortiz sitting up on his knees and getting nailed by a knee to the body from Evans. It hurt enough, that after a few punches on the ground later, it was all over.

Rashad Evans defeats Tito Ortiz by TKO at 4:48 of round two.

Source: Martial Arts