, pummeling him on the ground for most of the first round before the referee mercifully stepped in to stop it.
"I feel so great," Nogueira said afterward. "It's like a dream come true. Tito Ortiz is a legend of the sport. I want to say thanks for fighting him."
For Nogueira, the win snaps a two-fight losing streak and puts him back into the upper echelon of the light heavyweight division. It was a very impressive showing.
The beating began when Nogueira landed a hard left hand against the cage and followed it with a knee, and from there Nogueira started whaling away while Ortiz could only block. As Ortiz attempted to defend himself he backed away, and when Nogueira caught him he landed a hard knee that knocked Ortiz down.
Once the fight went to the ground, Nogueira was on top and doing all the damage. Nogueira pounded away with hard punches and vicious elbows to the body, as Ortiz winced in pain and could do nothing more than cover himself up. Eventually the referee had no choice but to step in and stop it to save Ortiz.
After the fight Ortiz offered his congratulations to Nogueira.
"I gave it my all, man. I put my life in the cage," Ortiz said. "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Little Nog was the better man tonight -- or at least the better fighter."
legend, Ortiz said he wants to fight at least one more time in the Octagon. He has earned the right to fight again, but at this point in his career, he's not on the same level as Nogueira.
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UFC 140 Photos
Mark Bocek punches Nik Lentz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 140 Photos
Mark Bocek and Nik Lentz try to sway the judges at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Nik Lentz throws a kick at Mark Bocek at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Nik Lentz attempts a guillotine choke on Mark Bocek at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Jake Hecht def. Rich Attonito via second-round TKO at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Jake Hecht celebrates after his TKO win over Rich Attonito at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Rich Attonito (right) clinches with Jake Hecht at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Rich Attonito throws punches at Jake Hecht at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Rich Attonito (right) charges towards Jake Hecht at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
John Cholish def. Mitch Clarke via second-round TKO at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
John Cholish walks off after his TKO win over Mitch Clarke at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
John Cholish climbs the back of Mitch Clarke at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
John Cholish attempts a kimura on Mitch Clarke at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
- UFC 140 Photos Mark Bocek punches Nik Lentz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Dennis Hallman defeats John Makdessi via submission (rear-naked choke) at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Dennis Hallman defeats John Makdessi via submission (rear-naked choke) at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Dennis Hallman takes the back of John Makdessi at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
- UFC 140 Photos Yves Jabouin def. Walel Watson via split decision at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Yves Jabouin throws a kick at Walel Watson at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Walel Watson kicks Yves Jabouin at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Walel Watson elbows Yves Jabouin at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Yves Jabouin punches Walel Watson at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Walel Watson (right) charges Yves Jabouin at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Yves Jabouin punches Walel Watson at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Yves Jabouin (left) clashes with Walel Watson at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jared Hamman receives attention after his loss at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Constantinos Philippou celebrates his first-round TKO over Jared Hamman at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Constantinos Philippou punches Jared Hamman at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Constantinos Philippou finishes Jared Hamman at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Constantinos Philippou punches Jared Hamman at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Constantinos Philippou walks back to the locker room after his win at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Igor Pokrajac defeated Krzystof Soszynski by first-round KO at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Krzystof Soszynski receives medical attention at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Igor Pokrajac celebrates his KO win over Krzystof Soszynski at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Krzystof Soszynski (left) clashes with Igor Pokrajac at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
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UFC 140 Photos
Igor Pokrajac punches Krzystof Soszynski at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Chan Sung Jung knocks out Mark Hominick in seven seconds at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Mark Hominick looks off in disappointment after his loss at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Chan Sung Jung celebrates his KO win over Mark Hominick in seven seconds at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Chan Sung Jung knocks out Mark Hominick in seven seconds at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Chan Sung Jung finishes Mark Hominick with punches at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Chan Sung Jung finishes Mark Hominick with punches at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Chan Sung Jung punches Mark Hominick at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
- UFC 140 Photos Tito Ortiz walks to the locker rooms after his loss at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Antonio Rogerio Nogueira def. Tito Ortiz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Antonio Rogerio Nogueira holds his arms up after finishing Tito Ortiz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Tito Ortiz grimaces in pain after his TKO loss to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Tito Ortiz holds his injured ribs at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
The referee saves Tito Ortiz from further punishment at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 140 Photos Antonio Rogerio Nogueira ground and pounds Tito Ortiz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Antonio Rogerio Nogueira punches Tito Ortiz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira elbows Tito Ortiz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 140 Photos
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira knees the stomach of Tito Ortiz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 140 Photos
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira clashes with Tito Ortiz at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 140 Photos
Frank Mir acknowledges the fans after tapping out Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 140 Photos Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's arm is twisted out of position at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Frank Mir taps out Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Frank Mir def. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via submission (kimura) at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 140 Photos Frank Mir taps out Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos UFC octagon girl Brittney Palmer makes her return at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 in Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Frank Mir secures a kimura on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira stuns Frank Mir with punches at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Octagon girls smile for the camera at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos 18,303 were in attendance at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Lyoto Machida walks to the locker rooms after his loss to Jon Jones at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
- UFC 140 Photos Frank Mir secures a kimura on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Jon Jones throws a kick at Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones poses with his trainers at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones talks to Joe Rogan after his win over Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones walks off after finishing Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones walks off after finishing Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones walks off after finishing Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Lyoto Machida falls unconscious at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones secures a guillotine choke on Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones drops Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones attacks Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones attacks Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Lyoto Machida receives a deep cut on his forehead at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Lyoto Machida pushes forward against Jon Jones at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones receives corner instructions at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Lyoto Machida and Jon Jones head to their respective corners after round one at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones tries to keep a distance from Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Jon Jones tries to keep a distance from Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Lyoto Machida keeps his eyes on Jon Jones at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 140 Photos
Lyoto Machida punches Jon Jones at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 140 Photos Brian Ebersole wins a split decision over Claude Patrick at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Brian Ebersole sports TapouT chest hair at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Claude Patrick throws a left hand at Brian Ebersole at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Claude Patrick tries to guillotine Brian Ebersole at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 140 Photos Brian Ebersole punches Claude Patrick at UFC 140 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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