• UFC 133

Phil Davis out of UFC 133, White waiting on Machida

ESPN staff
July 13, 2011
Phil Davis is out of UFC 133 © Getty Images
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The UFC is waiting on a response from Lyoto Machida after Phil Davis was forced off the UFC 133 main event against Rashad Evans.

Davis has been sidelined by a knee injury, leaving the UFC a little over three weeks to find a replacement for what effectively is a title eliminator. Former light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans knows he earns a title shot against Jon Jones with victory, and the same would be said for Machida if he took the fight.

It would represent a huge gamble for Machida though, who would be taking on one of the division's top contenders without a proper training camp. On a positive note, he has already destroyed Evans to take his title in the past.

MMA Fighting reporter Mike Chiappetta claimed on his Twitter account: "I just asked Dana White if Lyoto accepted the fight. His answer: 'No, and Tito turned it down.'"

Ortiz gave his reasons over Twitter, insisting he cannot afford to make a wrong decision during the twilight years of his career. The Huntington Beach Bad Boy has only just defeated Ryan Bader at UFC 132 a couple of weeks ago.

"I have a life and things to take care of. The fight game is about making the right choices of my career. If you knew what I have been going through you all would understand," Ortiz tweeted.

"Peaking for a fight is what makes a fighter unstoppable! Timing is everything in life. This is a rebuild year for me not do or die. The time will come again!"

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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