UFC light-heavyweight fighters “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz (15-8-1) and Antônio Rogério “Lil’Nog” Nogueira (19-4) will not be taking part of the upcoming UFC 128 event, they will instead headline the as-yet-to-be announced UFC Fight Night 24 event.
Ortiz hinted at the change last night on his Twitter account.
big news I’m not fighting n new jersey…but I am still fighting lil nog in march.
Since then MMAjunkie.com has confirmed the news that the two fighters would headline the UFC Fight Night 24 event, which should take place at March 26 in Seattle.
Ortiz is likely looking at saving his career with the promotion as he’s 0-4-1 in his last five fights. His last defeat came at the hands of his former pupil Matt Hamill at UFC 121 in Anaheim. His overall record within the UFC is 14-8-1 with recent losses to Hamill, Forrest Griffin, Lyoto Machida, and Chuck Liddell.
While Nogueira had a seven fight win streak stopped after suffering his first loss under the UFC banner. The Brazilian wound up losing a unanimous decision to Ryan Bader at UFC 119. “Lil Nog” joined the UFC three fights ago losing to Bader, earning a split decision over Jason Brilz at UFC 114, and Luiz Arthur Cane at UFC 106.