After all the hype and hub-bub leading up to the light heavyweight showdown between Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans at UFC 73, nothing was "settled" as the two fought to a disappointing draw.
It's not the kind of result with which fans, and more than likely the UFC, are satisfied. So, according to statements from UFC President Dana White after the bout, the two will do it again later this year — and it will be immediate for both fighters.
That means no opponent for either fighter before the rematch.
When and where this will go down is anyone's guess at this time. Ortiz, despite saying before the fight that he was injury-free and there would be no excuses, said after the fight that he was dealing with a back problem and that it had a negative effect on his performance.
Therefore, it's unclear if "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" will need extra time to recover. He's also headed for Iraq and the Persian Gulf this summer to meet with troops, which would certainly affect his training schedule leading up to a fight anytime soon.
The Star-Ledger in New Jersey is reporting that a November clash between Ortiz and Evans at the Prudential Center in Newark would be a great spot for the rematch. That, however, seems more like wishful thinking at this point rather than fact.
We'll keep you posted.
For our LIVE round-by-round coverage of the fight and the rest of the UFC 73 card click here.
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