Although Tito Ortiz may no longer be in title contention, he would consider a bout with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson if a victory led him to a potential title shot.
Ortiz and Jackson were former training partners prior to “Rampage” entering the UFC, and the two light heavyweights have remained good friends ever since.
Ortiz recently spoke with FighthubTV, and the former UFC light heavyweight champion said he and Jackson discussed a potential bout.
“We talked about it and if it was for a world title then we would,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz was involved in a similar situation with another former training partner in Chuck Liddell in 2003, where he tried avoid a bout with “The Iceman” at all costs. It would prove to backfire on Ortiz, as he had to face Liddell on two separate occasions, seemingly ending their friendship.
When asked about the possibility of standing across opposite of Jackson, Ortiz respectfully declined and said their friendship was more important.
“He had an upsetting loss against Jon Jones and I lost to Rashad (Evans). Maybe God made the path for us to not compete against each other,” he said. ” I’ve never really wanted to, he’s my boy, he’s my best friend.”
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