News broke on Tuesday, July 12 that Phil Davis had suffered a knee injury and was forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout against Rashad Evans at UFC 133. Davis and Evans had been set to face off in the main event on the August 6 fight card.

Wednesday brought a handful of rumors as to who would replace Davis and when the smoke finally cleared it was Tito Ortiz that stepped up to the plate.

The news came as a surprise, as Ortiz had tweeted earlier on Wednesday:

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. 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!  #positive

The change of heart was welcomed by UFC president Dana White who told MMAJunkie.com, “The storyline is what's so interesting. Tito went from 'You're about to be cut,' to now, if he beats Rashad Evans, he's back in the mix. He's back in the picture."

White stopped short of stating that the winner of the Evans versus Ortiz bout would be next in line for a shot at the UFC light heavyweight title, but it is not a stretch to believe that to be a likely scenario.  Jon Jones is currently set to defend his title for the first time on September 24 when he meets Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson at UFC 135. Total votes: 0

Evans and Ortiz have met in the Octagon once before, fighting to a draw in July 2007 at UFC 73. Ortiz had a point deducted for grabbing the cage during the second round of that bout and it cost him dearly, as the final scorecards read 28-28 from all three judges.

Evans has not fought since he defeated ‘Rampage’ Jackson in May 2010. That victory earned him a shot at then light heavyweight champion Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua. That fight was delayed due to Rua undergoing knee surgery. Evans opted to not take a fight while he waited for Rua to recover.  When Rua was healthy, the fight was set for UFC 128 in March 2011, however a training camp injury forced Evans off that card. Rua would stay on the card, losing his title to Jon Jones.

Ortiz is coming off a career saving victory. Ortiz was a huge underdog when he faced Ryan Bader at UFC 132 on July 2 and Dana White had made it known that a loss would cost Ortiz his UFC career. Ortiz took the decision out of White’s hands as he forced Bader to tap to a guillotine choke 1:56 into the fight. The win was Ortiz’s first since he defeated Ken Shamrock in 2006.

Despite the fact that Ortiz is the fresher of the two fighters, Evans is the odds-on favorite to win the rematch. BetOnFighting.com has Evans listed at -450 and Ortiz at +300, odds very similar to those that Ortiz faced in the Bader bout.

It’s been a very eventful 24 hours for the UFC, but the dust has cleared and on August 6, the next contender for the UFC light heavyweight crown could be decided in the City of Brotherly Love.

As if you didn't already know, Rashad Evans' second opponent for the headlining bout of UFC 133 has officially pulled out of the fight. Last night, it was reported that Phil Davis had suffered a knee injury, and would not be able to be ready by August 6.

Evans' original opponent, reigning light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, pulled out of the fight shortly after it was announced because of a thumb injury. Jones is now set to take on Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135.

So now, after having two opponents fall through, who is there for Evans to fight?

It had been reported that Lyoto Machida would be stepping in and take on Evans for a second time, but his wife quickly squashed that rumor. With all the major players in the division currently tied up, are there any matches that make sense for Evans?

Not really, but there is a fighter who is on a hot streak of sorts.

Tito Ortiz is fresh off of his first victory in nearly six years—a submission victory over Ryan Bader at UFC 132. It had been rumored that Ortiz would step in for Davis, but he squashed those rumors on his Twitter account.

However, just a few moments ago, Ortiz had this to say:

@titoortiz Only for the UFC!

Then just a couple of minutes ago, Dana White just blew the minds of MMA fans everywhere when he tweeted this:

@danawhite Get ready philly for Rashad Evans vs Tito Ortiz!!! Aug 6th LIVE on PPV at the Wells Fargo Center!!!!!!

So there you have it. The emerging Tito Ortiz will have the chance to not only avenge his draw against Evans, but also put himself right back in the title picture before he calls it a career.

Bleacher Report's Jason Schielke

UFC light heavyweight Phil Davis has suffered a knee injury that has forced him to be ruled out of the main event at UFC 133, the injury was first reported by MMAFighting.

Davis was scheduled to face Rashad Evans in a bout to likely determine the next contender for the UFC Light Heavyweight title.

Headkicklegend.com had reported that former UFC light heavyweight champion, Lyoto Machida would replace the injured Davis in the main event, but MMAFighting.com reports Machida has not accepted the bout yet.

MMAfighting.com also reports UFC President Dana White first offered the fight to Tito Ortiz, but Ortiz declined to take the fight on short notice. Ortiz and Evans fought at UFC 73 in 2007 that ended in a draw. 

Ortiz explained his decision via Twitter and said he had other priorities to consider, ultimately leading him to refuse meeting Evans in rematch.

"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. 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! #positive," Ortiz said.

As a result, there is no confirmation regarding a suitable replacement to face Evans. UFC 133 also features a light heavyweight match up featuring Rich Franklin and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, and a middleweight bout between Vitor Belfort and Yoshihiro Akiyama.

UFC 133 is scheduled for Aug. 6 at the Wells Fargo Centre in Philadelphia.

Bleacher Report's Mike Hodges

After a torn right-hand ligament forced UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones to withdraw from his title bout, Phil Davis was called upon by the UFC brass to replace the 23-year-old. 

Davis will now go up against the stiffest challenge in his young career when he takes on Rashad Evans at UFC 133. 

When he received the opportunity, Davis said he was flattered.

"I was shocked; I was surprised," Davis told MMAJunkie. "I was very thankful that they thought of me as the next guy to get that caliber of fight."

Following his most recent victory over veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC Fight Night 24, Davis improved to 5-0 in the UFC and 9-0 overall. With his most recent win behind him, Davis said he was expecting a high profile fight with one of the light heavyweight division's established competitors. However he didn't expect it would be against Rashad Evans, who at one time held the UFC light heavyweight strap. 

"His name wasn't one of the ones I was looking to fight next," Davis said. "But it looks like it's next on the list, so it looks like we have a date."

And it looks like that date will be sooner than he expected because Davis stated previously that he intended to take time off from the octagon, and wouldn't plan on returning until the end of the year.

But with his teammates Travis Browne and UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz competing this summer, it was all the motivation Davis needed to make a quick recovery.

"It's good to have my boys around," Davis said. "They know how hard to push me, and they know what I expect. When it gets close to fight time, they know I don't want any easy practices. They know I want them in the gym early and showing up every day to train – but not only for me, but for everyone to get themselves better." 

UFC 133 is scheduled for Aug. 6 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Bleacher Report's Mike Hodges

Vitor Belfort's wish to fight Wanderlei Silva on Brazilian soil at UFC Rio were not granted, but he said he is content to meet Yoshihiro Akiyama.

"I'm excited," Belfort told MMAJunkie.com. "It's a joyful time. Now I have a date, and I have an opponent. I'm excited about it." 

The date Belfort is referring to is UFC 133, tentatively scheduled for August 6th in Philadelphia. It is two weeks prior to UFC 134, more commonly known as "UFC Rio," which is expected to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 27th. Rio happens to be Belfort's hometown. 

Earlier this year, Silva and Belfort exchanged words via Twitter, and the two Brazilians were eager to square off in a rematch. In their previous meeting, at Ultimate Brazil in 1998, Belfort disposed of Silva in just 44 seconds.

But, at least for now, it wasn't meant to be. Silva respectfully declined Belfort's offer and is now set to face heavy-handed Chris Leben at UFC 132. 

But Belfort said he is just fine with the decision. 

"The only disappointment I would have is if God did something and I wasn't included," Belfort said. "The UFC needed me in Philadelphia, and anything Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta need from me, I'm there for them. I fight for the UFC and the fans."

Akiyama presents some interesting challenges to the Brazilian, and Belfort said he is aware of how dangerous the Japanese star can be. Belfort said he intends to pick up a victory, and hopes to eventually receive another title shot. 

"I'm going to go in there 100 percent, and I'm going there to knock him out or submit him," Belfort said. "I'm going to be there to bring the heat. I know he will be there to bring the heat, too. So be ready. Don't miss it."

Bleacher Report's Mike Hodges