SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Fighters are not allowed to grab the fence for leverage in mixed martial arts. There have been numerous instances of the rule being flagrantly flouted in recent years, but rarely is the infraction enforced.
Tito Ortiz was deducted a point for fence-grabbing in the second round of his fight against Rashad Evans, and thus their light heavyweight match was called a 28-28 draw. Ortiz won the first round, Evans the third.
"The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" controlled the pace and initiated the action in the first round. Evans, who had his mouthpiece knocked out during one standup exchange, connected with a right hand that opened a cut under Ortiz's right eye, but otherwise Ortiz controlled the action.
The second round was also controlled by the former UFC light heavyweight champ, but Ortiz was docked for grabbing the fence as Evans went for a takedown.
Evans got the better of Ortiz in the third round and finished strong, scoring a big takedown in the match's waning moments and finishing with a flurry on top.
Evans stayed undefeated at 10-0-1. Ortiz is now 15-5-1. No doubt a rematch is on the way.
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