A month later, though, he stepped into the Octagon against the No.1 ranked contender Rashad Evans to save a pay-per-view main event, and, despite fighting gallantly, Ortiz showed that he was no longer at the top of the Light Heavyweight heap.
Now only a gatekeeper at best, Ortiz takes on “Little Nog” Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 140 and will once again need a win to remain relevant within the division. As the underdog, action on Ortiz on theMMA odds at the Bodog Sportsbook has a good chance to pay out if the former UFC Light Heavyweight champ decides to do what he does best and outwrestle his Brazilian opponent for a decision win. Ortiz has stated publicly that he wants to put on exciting fights, so the wrestling scenario may not play out.
Nogueira will step into the Octagon as the odds-on favorite despite losing his last two fights. The Brazilian will look to use his boxing skills to win a decision or to wear down Ortiz enough to use his jiu-jitsu skills to finish the “Huntington Beach Bad Boy”.
This fight has definite upset potential, especially if Ortiz can close the distance and work close enough to Nogueira to negate his boxing skills. Despite being a black belt in jiu-jitsu Nogueira will have a tough time submitting a fighter with the experience of a Tito Ortiz without wearing him down first.