UFC
UFC NEWS: Tito Ortiz vs. Ryan Bader heading to UFC 132 in July
Mar 21, 2011 - 1:25:18 PM UFC NEWS: Tito Ortiz vs. Ryan Bader heading to UFC 132 in July

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

After getting injured during training, forcing him out of a bout this weekend with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC Fight Night 24, Tito Ortiz will now return in July.

According to a report from MMAWeekly.com, Ortiz will meet Ryan Bader at UFC 132 on July 2 in Las Vegas.

Ortiz looks to pick up a win for the first time in nearly five years, having gone winless in his last five fights while being inundated with injuries. He's fought just twice over the last three years, losing decisions to Forrest Griffin and Matt Hamill.

Bader began his MMA career by winning 12 straight fights, along the way winning season eight of The Ultimate Fighter and defeating Nogueira last September in his biggest win to date. However, Bader was defeated by newly crowned UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones in February, handing him his first career defeat.

UFC 132 is expected to feature a co-headlining rematch between Jon Fitch and B.J. Penn, though the event's headliner has not yet been chosen.

Link to Original Source Article

Penick's Analysis: This is one of the fights Bader talked about wanting, and the UFC gave it to him. If Ortiz can't pull out a miracle win in this fight, and he'll be a major underdog going in, then his time in the UFC is more than likely done. This is a big fight for both of them, as Bader has a chance to notch a signature win over a well-known name in Ortiz, while Ortiz can pick up a big, legitimate win if he somehow defeated Bader. It's a good fight for the UFC to make Ortiz earn a spot and to elevate Bader's profile should he win.

[Tito Ortiz art by Travis Beaven (c) MMATorch.com]