As shocking as it seems, Tito Ortiz was injured while training for his upcoming fight with Antônio Rogério Nogueira. The bout was schedule to take place on March 26 at UFC Fight Night 24. Ortiz apparently sustained a concussion and needed stitches following training. The UFC has tapped undefeated wrestling stud Phil Davis to replace Ortiz. Davis is 8-0 (4-0 UFC) in his MMA career including wins over Brian Stann and Tim Boetsch. The match with Nogueria marks a huge a huge step up for Davis. Davis was scheduled to fight Matt Hamill at UFC 129 before Hamill replaced Thiago Silva against Rampage Jackson at UFC 130. Little Nog is about to get wrecked. Davis is as decorated a college wrestler as there is in MMA and the guy has become a very solid BJJ practicioner. When he gets opponents on the ground, which inevitable, he looks to finish. Who you got?
Nice! Now that fight is interesting. If he tries to stand up with Nog he is going to sleep. On the ground things can get very interesting.
Nog is tough to figure out. Jason Brilz took him down easily but then Ryan Bader had all sorts of trouble getting Nog down. Phil Davis is a better wrestler than both so it will be interesting to see how it goes. And Nog seemed pretty decent off his back against Brilz as he tried for a couple of subs and got a couple of sweeps. I agree, this is a good fight. Much better than Ortiz against Nog..
I didn't want to say it, but man, that's exactly what I was thinking after the Nog fight and even moreso after the bout with Jones. He's got the credentials but just can't get a takedown when needed.
Phil Davis will probably win but he definitely ain't gonna win a BJJ match on the ground with lil Nog.
