Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
The big issue surrounding Rashad Evans heading into his rematch with Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 on Saturday was he hadn’t fought in 14 months.
The layoff proved to be an non-issue as Evans pounded Ortiz en route to a second-round TKO.Evans looked to be in the best shape of his mixed martial arts career. He was much quicker than Ortiz, who took this fight on two week’s notice.
“I feel great,” said Evans after improving to 16-1-1. “I feel all that hard work paid off.”
Ortiz saw his record slip to 16-9-1.
Evans, the top-ranked light heavyweight contender, now waits for the winner of Jon Jones and Quinton Jackson. The two are scheduled to meet Sept. 24. It will be Jones’ first title defense.
WRITEN BY & FULL RESULTS:Â Franklin McNeil covers mixed martial arts and boxing for ESPN.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Franklin_McNeil.
