UFC 121 Live Blog: Tito Ortiz vs. Matt Hamill Updates

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- This is the UFC 121 live blog for Tito Ortiz vs. Matt Hamill, a a light heavyweight bout on tonight's UFC pay-per-view from the Honda Center.

There will be no "bad blood" in this Tito Ortiz (15-7-1) fight. Ortiz, who coached season three of The Ultimate Fighter, will face off against his former student on the show. Hamill (10-2) has won his last four fights.

The live blog is below.

---

---

Round 1: Ortiz comes out like a man who has somewhere to be, charging across the cage and peppering Hamill with punches and kicks. Hamill circles away and lets Ortiz come to him, then snatches a double-leg takedown a little over a minute in. Hamill moves to side control but Ortiz rolls to his knees and gets up, firing off a head kick that Hamill blocks. There's a spot of blood above Ortiz's ear, made all the more visible by his bleached blonde hair. Spinning backfist from Ortiz is blocked, but gets a reaction from the pro-Ortiz crowd. A good uppercut by Hamill lands. The crowd chants Tito in the final seconds of the round. The horn sounds, and moments later Hamill launches a two-punch attack that finds its mark. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Hamill.

Round 2: Hamill jabs his way forward, but can't get in close. Head kick from Hamill is blocked. Ortiz feints low and then sticks a knee to Hamill's ribs. Hamill throws a left hook to the body that appears to catch Ortiz in the groin, but he makes no sing to the ref. Good leg kick by Ortiz, but seconds later Hamill catches him coming forward and gets the takedown easily. Hamill tries for some short elbows out of Ortiz's guard, and Ortiz looks for an armbar, but can't get it. Ortiz rolls for a kneebar and ends up letting Hamill get to side control. Now the crowd is chanting 'Tito sucks.' How's that for a change of public sentiment? The round ends with Hamill in side control, not doing much damage. MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 Hamill.

Round 3: A hard left hook from Hamill catches Ortiz flush. Ortiz tries a head kick, to no avail. Hamill comes forward and Ortiz hammers him with a kick to the body. Hamill's jab is finding its mark now and keeping Ortiz from getting set up to punch. Ortiz shoots for a takedown and Hamill stuffs it without much trouble. Ortiz's punches are falling short, but Hamill is finding success with the uppercut. In the final two minutes now, and Hamill secures another takedown. He gets immediately to half-guard and works some short left hands and elbows. Ortiz tries to roll into him but Hamill grabs for a guillotine just before the round ends. MMA Fighting scores it 10-9 Hamill.

Matt Hamill def. Tito Ortiz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
.fanhouseButton {margin:2em 0;} .fanhouseButton a:link, .fanhouseButton a:visited, .fanhouseButton a:hover, .fanhouseButton a:active {background-color:#dd2829;color:#FFFFFF;font-size:18px;padding:0.3em 0.6em;text-decoration:none;} .fanhouseButton a:hover {background-color:#000000;}