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Former UFC champion Tito Ortiz submitted ex-WWE titleholder Alberto Del Rio in the main event of their pay-per-view (PPV) showdown last December in Hidalgo, a catchweight fight that marked the Combate Americas debut of “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy.”
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has since overturned that victory, leaving both fighters with a “No Contest.” That said, TDLR public information officer Tela Mange told MMA Junkie the outcome is “pending further investigation.”
A spokesperson for Combate Americas told MMAmania.com the promotion is still in the fact-finding phase of the investigation.
I don’t want to speculate until we have all the facts, but this is not a good look for Ortiz (21-12-1), who turned 45 just last month. No word yet on whether or not the UFC hall of famer will be forced to return the WWE belt to Del Rio, as one of the match stipulations called for the loser to hand over his most prized possession (more on that here).
Stay tuned.