121. He lost a decision there and managed to hold on to his job by the follicles of his bleached blonde hair, so we already know that the normal rules don't quite apply to him.
But this time, Dana White swears, this time he's really on the chopping block. Do we believe him? Well, after the tired look on his face when discussing his most recent Tito headache with Ariel Helwani yesterday, it's kind of hard not to.
Ortiz isn't the only one who can't afford to post another L on his record this Saturday night, however. For a look at the fighters who really need to win to stay employed, follow me below.
Why he's in danger: Come on, you know why. As Dana White pointed out on Thursday, Ortiz doesn't have a win since 2006. As White put it: "Dude, it's 2011. He's got to win." Really, the fact that he has made it this long is a miracle, or at least a testament to the power of charisma and name recognition. Ortiz is 0-4-1 in his last five fights. The last man he beat? Ken freaking Shamrock. If Ortiz were anybody else, he'd be long gone from the UFC by now. The irony is that, while it's his Tito-ness that's helped him stick around, it's also his Tito-ness that has made him White's least favorite employee. They could find a way to work together when Ortiz was still a money-maker, but the more he loses, the less people want to see him. Now he finds himself in a must-win against Bader, who is, honestly, a pretty tough style match-up for him at this point. It's almost as if the UFC is trying to hasten his exit -- and maybe it's finally time for him to go. Odds of getting cut: even. Let's face it, Ortiz is probably going to lose this fight. And if he does, he's certainly getting fired, or so says White. Do the math yourself. Remember to show your work.
-- but when he has it his way, he typically prefers to put his wrestling skills to work and grind one out. We all know how the UFC feels about that approach, so the question is, if he loses to the undefeated Tavares, will that be reason enough to send him on his merry way? Odds of getting cut: 4-1. Don't get me wrong, Simpson needs this win. Another loss and he'll drop to 1-3 in his last four. But unless he looks absolutely awful, he should be able to pull the old 'Please baby, give me one more chance' and keep his job.
for three boring rounds. Still, if you can stop a guy from doing that to you, how much of a future do you really have in the UFC? It's sad, too, because Winner once had so much promise. He was a real blue-chipper on TUF, then lost the finale and has been up and down ever since. If he's going to make his case as a legitimate UFC lightweight, he's got to do it now. The question is, can he? Odds of getting cut: 2-1. This is a winnable fight, but by no means an easy one. At least Winner knows Njokuani won't try to stall him in a clinch, which is a start.
Anthony Njokuani (13-5-1, 0-1 UFC) Who he's fighting: Andre Winner Why he's in danger: Njokuani ended his WEC run with a 1-2 stint, then rolled right into the UFC with a decision loss. Fortunately for him, that loss came in a thrilling effort that earned him a Fight of the Night bonus. If you have to lose in the UFC, that's definitely the way you want to do it. Then again, a loss is still a loss, and you don't want to make a habit out of it. Njokuani has earned himself some leeway because of his exciting fighting style, but he's still after that elusive first UFC win. Even if he doesn't get it against Winner, he'll probably get one more chance to shine. Still, with a loss here the situation goes from troubling to desperate. Odds of getting cut: 5-1. His fight with Barboza earned him some goodwill with the UFC brass, so chances are he's not going anywhere, win or lose. Probably still a good idea to win, though. Just saying.
UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Dominick Cruz talks to Joe Rogan after the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Dominick Cruz talks to Joe Rogan after the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
The Octagon Girls were on hand to cheer on the fighters at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Urijah Faber talks to Joe Rogan after the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Dominick Cruz stares down Urijah Faber at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Dominick Cruz stares down Urijah Faber at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Dominick Cruz makes weight at 134 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Urijah Faber makes weight at 135 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Urijah Faber makes weight at 135 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Wanderlei Silva stares down Chris Leben at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Wanderlei Silva stares down Chris Leben at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Wanderlei Silva makes weight at 186 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Wanderlei Silva makes weight at 186 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
The fans cheer the fighters at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Chris Leben makes weight at 185 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Tito Ortiz gets in the face of Ryan Bader at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Tito Ortiz gets in the face of Ryan Bader at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Tito Ortiz makes weight at 205 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Tito Ortiz shows off his latest t-shirt at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Ryan Bader makes weight at 205 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
A Tito Ortiz fan shows his displeasure with Ryan Bader at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Carlos Condit and Dong Hyun Kim face off at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Carlos Condit makes weight at 170 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Dong Hyun Kim makes weight at 171 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Dong Hyun Kim makes weight at 171 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Dennis Siver faces off with Matt Wiman at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Dennis Siver makes weight at 156 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Matt Wiman makes weight at 156 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Melvin Guillard faces off against Shane Roller at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Melvin Guillard faces off against Shane Roller at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Melvin Guillard makes weight at 155 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Melvin Guillard shows his excitment at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Shane Roller makes weight at 155 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
George Sotiropoulos (156) faces off with Rafael Dos Anjos (155) at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
George Sotiropoulos makes weight at 156 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Rafael Dos Anjos makes weight at 155 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Brian Bowles faces off with Takeya Mizugaki at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Brian Bowles makes weight at 135 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Takeya Mizugaki makes weight at 136 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Brad Tavares faces off with Aaron Simpson at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Brad Tavares makes weight at 186 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Anthony Njokuani faces off against Andre Winner at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Anthony Njokuani makes weight at 156 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Andre Winner makes weight at 155 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Donny Walker faces off with Jeff Hougland at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Donny Walker makes weight at 135 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Jeff Hougland makes weight at 135 pounds at the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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UFC 132 Weigh-In Photos
Travel channel celebrity Anthony Bourdain watches the UFC 132 weigh-ins on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.