Tito Ortiz Claims He's Close to Strikeforce Deal, No Return to UFC

In the 13 months since his last fight, Tito Ortiz has said more times than I can count that he's close to signing a new contract to return to MMA with another organization. So take this with a grain of salt: Ortiz claims he's close to a new deal with Strikeforce, and he's already targeting an October return to fight Renato "Babalu" Sobral. He also says he has his eyes on a future fight with Fedor Emelianenko, and he says he won't return to the UFC as long as Dana White runs the company.

In the above video, Ortiz says he's working with Strikeforce on starting an organization of his own called "Punishment Fighting Championships," and that Ortiz will serve as both a promoter and a fighter for that organization. He also said he won't be returning to the UFC.

"Not as long as Dana White is the president of the UFC," Ortiz said. "I have too much integrity. I have too much respect for myself. ... He has no respect for me."

That video was recorded in Pittsburgh on Thursday, and according to Five Ounces of Pain, Ortiz repeated in an appearance in Pittsburgh Saturday night that he is close to working things out with Strikeforce. He also said he could face Babalu at a Strikeforce event in October, that he could sign a four-fight deal with Strikeforce, and that he could fight Fedor down the road.

Of course, I need to reiterate that this is all just Tito talking, and Tito has done a lot of talking about his future plans in the last 13 months. I know a lot of MMA fans are getting tired of hearing TIto talk about his future plans, because it's all talk and no action.

At the same time, Tito is a well-known, popular fighter, and he's probably the biggest draw in American MMA who's not currently under contract to the UFC. There are still a whole lot of fans who will tune in to see Tito fight, and that means Tito is still relevant. Even if over the last year, he's done a lot of talking and no fighting.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-28-2009 @ 4:20PM

Livin Legend said...

so he is going to sign with an organization where elbows to a down opponent is banned? Does he know when he fights in Strikeforce that when he takes an opponent down, he does realize that he will not use elbows on the ground? I guarantee he'll be back in the Octagon before the year is over.

6-28-2009 @ 6:30PM

joey said...

Um not the first pal Warrior Challenge was the first I believe so do yuor homework before you open you mouth!!!!!!!1

6-28-2009 @ 8:10PM

mitch said...

Tito vs Fedor Bahhhahahahahahahahahah
only in Titos mind.Look for another payday Chico We want to see Fedor against better competition.Atleast heavyweights.What a tool I use to like him.I am beginning to believe Dana when he says how dumb Tito is.

6-28-2009 @ 10:43PM

Bromer said...

Alright I'm a big fan of Tito it's obvious he ain't going back to the UFC cause Dana White is an asshole and there's no chance of seeing a Tito Fedor fight coming but I can't wait to see Tito in strikeforce cause there's no light heavyweight competition there and it will just be him dominating the division like he did back in his old UFC days

6-29-2009 @ 2:20AM

Jamie said...

To be fair Tito and Fedor are probs the sake weight. Fedor is unlikely to cut when he is weighing in at just over 230 and Tito probs cuts around 20 lbs to reach lhw.

So this fight could quite easily happen at heavyweight and would mean tito didn't need to cut weight.

Not that I see it making a diffenrence to the outcome.

6-29-2009 @ 10:14AM

Paul Ortega said...

Tito WAS a great young upcoming fighter that had an unreal charisma with fans including myself; however, he has changed the way he does his business in the cage. I still like him but sure hate to hear & see what he has been doing to himself in the last few years-by the way, tito has ALWAYS been a bone head. I continue to support Tito's fighting & not his B.S.

6-29-2009 @ 11:39AM

Scott said...

Tito is unprofessional and immature. I hope he never returns to the ufc. If hell freezes over and he did come back, I say welcome him with two words: Lyoto Machida.

6-29-2009 @ 4:43PM

RJ said...

Anyone who thinks Tito is going back to fight in the UFC is out of their mind.
He'll end up in Strikeforce because they'll pay him more that any of their other fighters, promote his clothing brand, and push him in main events on Showtime, CBS, and eventually PPV.
There are a lot of fights for him in Strikeforce Babalu, Randleman, a rematch with Frank Shamrock etc. I've heard him say he wants a tune up fight when he comes back so I doubt a fight with Babalu will be his first fight.

7-12-2009 @ 12:47AM

Tanya said...

I would love to see Tito come back an fight, I wouldnt fool with Dana White either, hes an ass. I bet all his well know fighers will eventually walk away an become a part of some other organization. He doesnt give credit when its due, Titos one of the fighters thats made the UFC what it is today not dana white, people loved watching him whether they loved or hated him, hes still one of my favorites id love to see him come back.