In May, Tito Ortiz fought for the UFC for what both he and UFC President Dana White said would be the last time. Ortiz vowed then that he would sign a lucrative contract to fight for a new mixed martial arts organization soon.Over the last five months, Ortiz has come out of the woodwork several times to say he was "close to signing" or "about to sign" or "a week away from signing" a big-time contract to fight for some MMA organization or another. It hasn't happened yet.
When last we saw Ortiz, he was at the October 4 EliteXC show announcing that he was going to sign a contract with the organization soon. EliteXC is now finished, but Ortiz isn't finished saying he's close to signing a deal.
In an appearance at last weekend's Rumble in the Park in Fresno (broadcast today on HDNet's Inside MMA), Ortiz said, "It's either going to be with the UFC or it's going to be with Affliction, but guaranteed, you guys will see me fight -- no matter what -- by July."
Ortiz also mentioned that he had back surgery last month, which he deemed successful. He also said it was the same surgery that Nate Quarry had, and Quarry was out of action for 15 months after his back surgery. So Ortiz is very optimistic if he thinks he can guarantee that he'll return just seven months after the surgery.
He's also optimistic if he thinks Affliction will still be in the MMA business in July. And he's optimistic if he thinks UFC will still be willing to do business with him. Bottom line, Ortiz is an optimistic guy.
Of course, it could be worse: Ortiz was close to signing a contract with EliteXC. As former EliteXC fighter Jake Shields said, "Good thing he didn't sign with them. He'd be on eBay."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-08-2008 @ 6:56AM
John said...
What is the big deal about Tito?? I've been watching MMA now for about 12 years and quite honestly there are tons of new MMA fighters that are so much better than Tito Ortiz. I have no interest in watching him lose again and again and fooling the fans that he's in the same class as the up and comers. Dana White would embarrass himself if he even let Tito hold a pen in the vicinity of a contract!
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11-08-2008 @ 1:17PM
Erik said...
Tito is now a has-been. The sport has moved on and left him far behind. He was a good fighter but he hasn't ever seemed to improve his skills while up and coming fighters are much more capable. I have zero interest in seeing Tito fight again (though I don't mind seeing him get his butt kicked) and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
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11-08-2008 @ 7:32PM
peter p. said...
tito has been fighting using the same style for too long now. i've watched some of his trainig footage up in big bear and his regement is realy that of a garage or basement athlete. i would like to think with him signing with another company or going to the ufc, tito would begin to invest in professional trainers( boxing, muy thai, bjj and defense ) as of his last fight, he is so out classed and does not seem to be very inteligent. one more beat down and he should try to set up a celebrity fight with jose conseco.......
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11-09-2008 @ 10:54AM
ATLAS said...
Who cares about Tito Ortiz? He is an over the hill punching bag. Take away his Frank Shamrock fights, another over the hill chump, when was the last time Ortiz won a fight? Couldn't care less if I ever saw Ortiz fight again.
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11-09-2008 @ 7:45PM
Eric said...
Personally, I used to like Tito ... but it has become difficult with his inactivity and losses.
That being said look at his career ... nearly every fighter he has faced is a "named" fighter. No pushovers!
He has victories over Mezger, Kondo, Wanderlei, Tanner, Belfort, Griffin (very close), and his draw against Rashad isn't looking to bad at this point! He has also been in the cage with Chuck (twice) and Randy in their prime. He took on all comers.
He won with conditioning and aggression, and in the early days of MMA that was enough ... as many have said times have passed him by, but he still deserves his recognition.
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11-11-2008 @ 10:59PM
Peter King said...
Tito is just a lousy fighter. Hate to see him in the show again. C'on Mr. Pres, Dana White, give Lyoto Machita a Title fight. He was the one who long defeated Rich Fraklin before his buddy Anderson Silva knocked him out!
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12-04-2008 @ 2:05AM
Brenda@55 said...
I like Tito, but I have to agree that with everything going on and the lack of seeing him fight I would have to question his ability now. I think if he ever comes back his first fight should be against Rashad Evans for the re-match they never had. That sure would answer a lot of questions for me.
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