UFC 133 Fight Card: Predictions for Knockout, Submission, and Fight of the Night

UFC President Dana White will be pushing the fight bonuses hard for UFC 133, which has been plagued by numerous injuries that have left the card missing some of the big-name matchups it included when first announced.

The card, which goes down in Philadelphia, Penn., will be headlined by former UFC Light Heavyweight Champions Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans.

Ortiz is coming off his first victory since 2006 after he submitted Ultimate Fighter winner Ryan Bader at UFC 132. After Phil Davis pulled out of his fight with Evans, Ortiz took his place on short notice.

It will be a rematch of a fight they had in 2007, which resulted in a draw. Since that fight, Evans has gone on to capture and then lose the light-heavyweight belt. He is currently on a two-fight win streak, with wins over Thiago Silva and Quinton Jackson.

Other fights on the main card include Vitor Belfort vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama, Dennis Hallman vs. Brian Ebersole, Mike Pyle vs. Rory MacDonald, and Jorge Rivera vs. Costantinos Philippou. 

Fight of the Night: Vitor Belfort vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama

Japanese fighter Yoshihiro Akiyama is 1-2 in the UFC, but each of his fights have been given a fight-of-the-night award. They include a win over Alan Belcher and losses versus Michael Bisping and Chris Leben.

If Akiyama can’t get Belfort down, it’s going to be a stand-up battle in which the knockout will be only a punch away for the Brazilian. Akiyama may have the chin to stand and bang with Belfort for longer than most, but it’s not the best guarantee.

If Belfort doesn’t knock him out, it’s going to be a war for three rounds.

That is what I’m anticipating. 

Submission of the Night: Dennis Hallman

Since Hallman returned to the UFC in 2009, he has gone 2-1, with wins over Ben Saunders and Karo Parisyan. His opponent, Brian Ebersole, is coming off his upset victory over Chris Lytle at UFC 127.

This should be a long, tough battle between two experienced veterans of MMA. Hallman has 66 matches and 38 submission victories to his credit.

Ebersole has 63 fights with 14 losses, including nine by submission. 

Knockout of the Night: Jorge Rivera

After Alessio Sakara pulled out of his scheduled fight with Jorge Rivera, Costantinos Philippou stepped up from the undercard to take on the UFC veteran.

This could end up being a very intriguing stand-up battle for however long it lasts, and both fighters are capable of being knocked out in this fight. While the fight could go either way, one thing is for sure: It won’t go the distance.

Rivera possesses one-punch knockout power and has knocked out many opponents in the UFC, including Kendall Grove, Rob Kimmons, Edwin Dewees, and Nate Quarry.

Out of Rivera's 27 fights, 18 have ended by knockout. He makes a fight out of it regardless of his opponent, and there is usually only one standing in the end.

Philippou will be motivated to perform well on the main card and should engage in a fan-friendly fight.