Report: Ortiz-Bader Matchup Targeted for UFC 132 on July 2

Tito Ortiz (above) will look for his first win since 2006 against Ryan Bader. | Stephen Albanese/Tailstar.com

News of the bout was first reported Monday by MMAWeekly.com; soon after, the fighters addressed one another via Twitter.

“Want some? You will get some. Let’s go,” Ortiz wrote to Bader.

“Yes sir, done,” Bader replied.

Ortiz was set to face Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in the main event of UFC Fight Night 24 on March 26, but was forced from the bout after suffering a concussion and facial laceration in training. The 36-year-old “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” has not won a bout since 2006 and is 0-4-1 in his last five outings. UFC President Dana White, Ortiz’s onetime manager, has publicly stated that Ortiz’s next fight will be his last chance for a win inside the Octagon.

Bader, 27, comes off the first defeat of his career, having been guillotine-choked by current UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones at UFC 126 on Feb. 5. The former Arizona State University wrestling standout had won 12 straight bouts prior to the loss, including victories over the more experienced Nogueira, Keith Jardine and Eric Schafer.

Although not officially announced by the promotion, UFC 132 is expected to take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Last week, the promotion revealed two planned bouts for its annual 4th of July super-card: the headlining welterweight rematch between B.J. Penn and Jon Fitch, and a lightweight duel pitting Evan Dunham against George Sotiropoulos.