in a fight that left many of the fans in Philadelphia booing.
Philippou said he completely understood why the fans didn't like what they saw.
There were a few brief flurries of action, especially early in the second round, when Philippou knocked Rivera down with a hard punch, pounced on him and rained punches down. It looked for a moment like the referee was about to step in and stop the fight, but Rivera did a great job of recovering and tying Philippou up, and soon it was Rivera who was landing punches on the ground.
Late in the second Rivera pulled off a great trip-takedown, but Philippou nearly pulled off an omoplata from his back: Philippou locked up Rivera's shoulder, but he wasn't able to finish it.
Those sequences in the second round were just about the only action, however. Early in the third round there was a quick exchange of punches, but soon both Rivera and Philippou began to look exhausted, and for most of the rest of the round they were tied up on the ground without a whole lot of action, and the fans were booing at the final horn.
Two judges scored the fight 29-28 for Philippou, while one scored it 29-28 for Rivera.
The win improved Philippou's career record to 8-2, and ensured that he'll remain in the UFC. The 39-year-old Rivera, however, has lost two in a row and hasn't looked good this year. He may be just about done inside the Octagon.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Ivan Menjivar defeated Nick Pace via unanimous decision at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Nick Pace (right) collides with Ivan Menjivar at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Ivan Menjivar kicks Nick Pace at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Johny Hendricks def. Mike Pierce via split decision at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Johny Hendricks raises his arms after his fight against Mike Pierce at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Johny Hendricks (right) punches Mike Pierce at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Johny Hendricks knees Mike Pierce at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Johny Hendricks kicks Mike Pierce at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rafael Natal def. Paul Bradley at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rafael Natal is ready to face Paul Bradley at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Chad Mendes talks to Joe Rogan after his win over Rani Yahya at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Chad Mendes def. Rani Yahya via unanimous decision at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Chad Mendes ground and pounds Rani Yahya at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Chad Mendes punches Rani Yahya at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Chad Mendes is ready to face Rani Yahya at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Alexander Gustafsson def. Matt Hamill via second-round TKO at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Alexander Gustafsson celebrates after his TKO over Matt Hamill at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Alexander Gustafsson TKOs Matt Hamill at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Alexander Gustafsson pounds away on Matt Hamill at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Matt Hamill tries for the takedown against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Matt Hamill is introduced to fans at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Alexander Gustafsson enters the cage for his fight against Matt Hamill at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Mike Pyle is checked on after his TKO loss to Rory MacDonald at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rory MacDonald beats Mike Pyle at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rory MacDonald celebrates after stopping Mike Pyle at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rory MacDonald celebrates after stopping Mike Pyle at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rory MacDonald punches Mike Pyle at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rory MacDonald punches Mike Pyle at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Mike Pyle escapes from a guillotine choke by Rory MacDonald at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rory MacDonald attempts a guillotine choke against Mike Pyle at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rory MacDonald enters the cage to face Mike Pyle at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Vitor Belfort knocks out Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Vitor Belfort gets face to face with Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Vitor Belfort acknowledges the crowd before his fight against Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Vitor Belfort makes his entrance to fight Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Yoshihiro Akiyama awaits Vitor Belfort at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Constantinos Philippou beats Jorge Rivera via split decision at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Constantinos Philippou clashes with Jorge Rivera at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
The guest Octagon Girl Chrissy Hubbard holds up the round sign at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Constantinos Philippou punches a turtled Jorge Rivera at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 133 Fight Night Photos Vitor Belfort celebrates with teammates after his win over Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Vitor Belfort walks to his corner after beating Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 133 Fight Night Photos Vitor Belfort lays out Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Dennis Hallman is introduced at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Brian Ebersole waits for his fight to begin at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Brian Ebersole ground and pounds Dennis Hallman at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Brian Ebersole ground and pounds Dennis Hallman at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Brian Ebersole stops Dennis Hallman at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Brian Ebersole defeats Dennis Hallman at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Tito Ortiz is helped to his feet after his loss to Rashad Evans at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 133 Fight Night Photos Rashad Evans TKOs Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 133 Fight Night Photos Rashad Evans TKOs Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rashad Evans TKOs Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rashad Evans tries to trap Tito Ortiz in a crucifix at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Tito Ortiz attempts a guillotine on Rashad Evans at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rashad Evans ground and pounds Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rashad Evans punches Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rashad Evans punches Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rashad Evans waits for the fight to start at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rashad Evans greets Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Tito Ortiz electrifies the crowd at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Bruce Buffer announces the main event fighters at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Tito Ortiz looks at Rashad Evans at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rashad Evans gets introduced to face Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rashad Evans enters the cage to face Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rashad Evans enters to fight Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Tito Ortiz gets pumped to face Rashad Evans at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Rashad Evans pounds away at Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Tito Ortiz disappointed with his loss to Rashad Evans at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 133 Fight Night Photos Tito Ortiz greets Dana White after the fight at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 133 Fight Night Photos Rashad Evans beats Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Jorge Rivera readies to face Constantinos Philippou at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Constantinos Philippou moments away from facing Jorge Rivera at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Mike Brown beats Nam Phan via unanimous decision at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Nam Phan punches Mike Brown at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Nam Phan punches Mike Brown at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Nam Phan punches Mike Brown at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Nam Phan punches Mike Brown at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Mike Brown stands on his corner at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Mike Brown dominates Nam Phan in the first round at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Paul Bradley accidentally pokes Rafael Natal in the eye at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Paul Bradley (right) punches Rafael Natal at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Paul Bradley clashes with Rafael Natal at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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UFC 133 Fight Night Photos
Paul Bradley attempts to take down Rafael Natal at UFC 133 on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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