He then fought against undefeated The Ultimate Fighter 2 winner Rashad Evans on July 7, 2007, at UFC 73. Ortiz took charge of the fight from the outset, taking Evans down and controlling him. In the second round Ortiz once again took control and nearly submitted Evans before the culmination of the round. The fight ended in a draw after Ortiz was penalized for grabbing the fence. Ortiz's last fight on his contract with the UFC was a unanimous decision loss to the then undefeated Lyoto Machida at UFC 84 on May 24, 2008. All three judges scored the fight 30–27 to Machida. Ortiz came close to submitting Machida in the third round with a triangle choke before transitioning to an armbar. However, Machida managed to escape and survived the round, winning a unanimous judges' decision. The fight concluded Ortiz's stay with the promotion as he chose not to re-sign, citing his frustration with UFC president Dana White as a major factor in the decision.
he then fought against undefeated the ultimate fighter 2 winner rashad evans on july 7 2007 at ufc 73 ortiz took charge of the fight from the outset taking evans down and controlling him in the second round ortiz once again took control and nearly submitted evans before the culmination of the round the fight ended in a draw after ortiz was penalized for grabbing the fence ortiz's last fight on his contract with the ufc was a unanimous decision loss to the then undefeated lyoto machida at ufc 84 on may 24 2008 all three judges scored the fight 30–27 to machida ortiz came close to submitting machida in the third round with a triangle choke before transitioning to an armbar however machida managed to escape and survived the round winning a unanimous judges' decision the fight concluded ortiz's stay with the promotion as he chose not to re-sign citing his frustration with ufc president dana white as a major factor in the decision