UFC
UFC 133 "Evans vs. Davis" officially announced, tickets on sale June 10
Jun 1, 2011 - 1:40:22 PM UFC 133 "Evans vs. Davis" officially announced, tickets on sale June 10

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The UFC's return to Philadelphia is official, as the organization on Wednesday announced UFC 133: Evans vs. Davis for the Wells Fargo Center on August 6 on pay-per-view.

In addition to the main event between Rashad Evans and Phil Davis, the organization officially announced a light heavyweight bout between Rich Franklin and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, as well as a middleweight bout between Vitor Belfort and Yoshihiro Akiyama.

"The last time we were in Philly, the fans were incredible so we are excited to head back there with a card that features three former world champions," UFC President Dana White said in the release. "Phil is undefeated at 9-0 and has never been more motivated for a fight, and he wants to prove that he belongs atop the light heavyweight division. Rashad is on fire. He wants his title back so badly he can taste it, but he knows before he can get his title shot he has to get through Phil. He wants to win and he wants to win impressively. This is a great fight."

Evans returns to action for the first time since defeating Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 114. A win keeps him on track for a shot at regaining the Light Heavyweight Championship he lost to Lyoto Machida in 2009.

"My road back to the title continues in Philadelphia against Phil Davis and I expect this to be one of the best fights of the year," Evans said. "Phil is on the rise in this sport and it's my job to put an end to that. He's a former national champion wrestler and he's been impressive thus far in the UFC, but my experience in big fights gives me the edge. I want another shot at the belt and I've got to beat Phil to earn it."

After stepping in on short notice to meet longtime veteran Nogueira at UFC Fight Night 24, Davis is out to take another step up the ladder against the first former UFC Champion he's faced. The Pennsylvania native and D1 national wrestling champion at Penn State is excited to get back in the cage and fight in front of a hometown crowd.

"I'm definitely glad to be back in Pennsylvania for the biggest fight of my life," Davis said. "It's going to be good to be able to fight in front of all my family and friends. I feel like I can take this fight wherever I want. I can wrestle with Rashad, I can strike with him, and I feel confident wherever this fight goes. Rashad Evans is the most dangerous opponent I've ever faced, but I don't think for a minute that I'm outmatched. I'm going to take care of this fight and do whatever I have to do to beat Rashad."

Tickets for the event go on sale next Friday, June 10, to the general public, with prices ranging from $50-$500. As always, UFC Fight Club members will get the first crack at tickets with a presale beginning two days earlier, and UFC Newsletter subscribers get their presale on Thursday, June 9.

UPDATE: Ticket on-sale dates were moved up a day by the UFC in a separate release, and have been updated in the post.

[Rashad Evans art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]