The possible final UFC fight for Tito Ortiz is about to take place. Ortiz will face fellow light heavyweight and possible future star Lyoto Machida. The crowd roared to their feet as Ortiz entered the ring to the Public Enemy song "Fight the Power." Machada enters with a determined look on his face.
Ortiz tries to go for a takedown more than a minute in but Machida defends it well. Ortiz is the aggressor for most of the first half of the round. Machida looks to be waiting for Ortiz to open himself up for a counter attack. Ortiz continually tries to score a takedown, but Machida is looking too strong for that. With 35 seconds left to fight, Ortiz is upset about the lack of offense with Machida and backs away. Machida scored the only takedown of the round with less than 10 seconds left and lands a series of strikes as the round ends.
Machida, while dancing around Ortiz, seems confident he's ready for anything Ortiz can throw at him, whether it is a punch, kick or a takedown. The crowd begins to boo almost midway through the second round. Ortiz cannot catch up to Machida. Ortiz finally gets close to a takedown, but it is blocked and Machida is able to gain the advantage. Ortiz works his way back up. Ortiz scores a good knee strike to the abdomen of Machida. With 10 seconds left, and aggravation setting in on the lack of offense from Machida, Ortiz goads Machida to throw punches, which he does. Ortiz tries to counter, but Machida is too fast for him.
The best action so far in the third round is referee Yves Lavigne tripping over himself 45 seconds into the round. both fighters lock up but no one can do anything. Fans begin to boo again, 1:45 into the round. Ortiz finally caches up to Machida and lands two punches. Machida is forced to lock up. Ortiz tries to go for a clinch but can't as Machida gets out, but not away, locking up again. Lavign breaks the fighters up with 1:45 remaining in the round. Ortiz ties to go for a takedown, but is met with a knee to the abdomen that slowly crumples Ortiz. Machida pounces on the falling Ortiz landing strikes. Machida almost gets caught with 30 seconds left in the match with an triangle choke and then an armbar but escapes and regains control as the fight ends. Both fighters are kneel to each other in a sign of respect.
The judges all score the bout 30-27 in favor of Machida.
After the match, Ortiz said he'll continue to fight, but it may not be in the UFC.
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