Nog pounds out Ortiz
Date: 2011-12-11 00:00:00
Source: http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/12/12/2619818/ufc-...
Submitted By: MMAFightsDump
At UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira defeated Tito Ortiz via ground and pound stoppage. The end came at 3:15 in round 1 after Lil' Nog unleashed a series of elbows to Ortiz's ribs. This Light Heavyweight fight was the third bout on the PPV card. This was Tito's second loss since his upset victory over Ryan Bader this summer. Nogueira snaps a 2 fight losing streak here and improves his UFC record to 3-2. This looked like it would be a battle of Ortiz's ground and pound and wrestling vs. Nogueira's boxing, and that is exactly how it played out. They started by exchanging on the feet, with Tito holding his own. But Nogueira clipped him with a right hand, then followed up with some nasty knees to the body that visibly hurt Ortiz and dropped him. On the ground, Nogueira maintained ground position and used elbows to Tito's ribcage to get the stoppage. Immediately after the fight ended, it was clear that Nog's body attack was seriously damaging, as Ortiz was in a lot of pain. What was the high spot of this fight? Those standing knees to the body from Rogerio were the big fight-turners, and are a technique I always love to see. Where do these guys go from here? Nogueira said he was in great shape and ready to make a real run, but I don't think that's happening. He is a perfect guy to keep around for fights like this one - fun clashes between two veterans. He's been scheduled to fight both Rich Franklin and Forrest Griffin during his UFC run, only to have both fights cancelled due to injury. Now seems like a good time for either. Tito Ortiz christened himself The People's Champion before the fight, and is clearly in the final lap of his lengthy career. Post-fight, he was crystal clear about his intentions - fight once more next year so that he is a 15 year veteran of the sport, then retire. The UFC has a rare opportunity here to give one of their true all time greats a proper send-off, and to be frank, Tito deserves it. I'd like to see them pair him up with a proper final opponent, not just some random up and comer. Best bet? Get Chuck Liddell back in the gym and cash in on that Ultimate Fighter fight that never happened.
