When Tito Ortiz makes his next appearance in the Octagon, it will be his last.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion is set to meet Forrest Griffin at UFC 148 in July, where the two competitors are prepared to settle their trilogy.
Ortiz sat down with FightersOnly.com in an exclusive interview to discuss his final bout with Griffin, among some of the other relevant topics surrounding the sport today. The 37-year-old Ortiz confirmed he will retire following the bout.
“The last fight is Forrest Griffin, its on July 7 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand,” Ortiz said. “I just gotta do the work, I’ve took myself up to Big Bear – which is a camp I haven’t been up to in the last couple of years – because its important that I do the right things to prepare for this fight so that when I leave I get my hand raised.”
Seeing his hand raised is not something Ortiz has been familiar with for quite some time. His last victory came over Ryan Bader last year, but prior to that, “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” had not won since 2006, compiling a 1-6-1 record in his last 10 bouts.
It is no secret that Ortiz is no longer the fighter he once was, but yet he continues to defy the odds and put on a good performance for the fans. Once perceived with bad boy image, Ortiz is wiser and more grateful at this stage in his career and hopes he becomes more of an inspiration to fans as he nears the end of his career.
Regardless of the outcome against Griffin, Ortiz is content with the career he has had and the success he has made for the sport.
“I have had a long and illustrious career of fifteen years. I’m the longest-competing UFC fighter to date, most consecutive UFC appearances, most light-heavyweight title defences,” he said. “I am very thankful, when I look at my career, and I want to leave on my own terms. I am very happy with it.”
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