UFC 133: Evans' Trainer Says He Was Injured During First Bout with Tito Ortiz

Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz engaged in a competitive fight at UFC 73 that was notorious for a controversial decision more so than the fight itself. And according to his head trainer at Imperial Athletics, Mike Van Arsdale, Evans fought with an injury during the bout.

In an interview with ESPN, courtesy of FightersOnly.co.uk, Evans fought through his injury while keeping it a secret from everyone else.

"He got severe shin splints and an injury to his thigh. But, he kept quiet and fought [Ortiz] anyway, without a camp," Van Arsdale said.

Ortiz and Evans fought to a draw due to Ortiz holding onto the fence and ultimately had a point deducted. Van Arsdale, who was Evans' wrestling coach at the time, said he didn't believe he fit in at the camp he trained with Greg Jackson.

Evans' recent fallout with newly-crowned UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones led to his departure from Jackson's MMA and led him to Florida where he reunited with Van Arsdale and the newly formed Imperial Athletics.

Because Evans was not doing the necessary things that would help prepare him for his bout against Ortiz, Van Arsdale said he didn't benefit from anything during training, which hampered his chances of performing in top condition.

"Instead of running, he probably should have been wrestling; instead of pounding with the legs, he probably should have been practicing some manoeuvres with the standup,” he said.

However, Evans has evolved since then and is prepared to take on Ortiz in a rematch at UFC 133. Ortiz filled in for Evans' original opponent, Phil Davis, after Davis suffered a knee injury that forced him out of the main event.