Melendez, Benavidez remember influential UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz

Being a legend in any sport means champions, future champions – or simply everyone to come after – are inspired by the legacy left behind.

Such is the case for UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz. On July 7, the 37-year-old retired after 15-years following …

Being a legend in any sport means champions, future champions – or simply everyone to come after – are inspired by the legacy left behind.

Such is the case for UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz. On July 7, the 37-year-old retired after 15-years following a unanimous decision defeat in his UFC 148 trilogy bout with fellow former champ Forrest Griffin.

Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez and Joseph Benavidez, who battles for the UFC’s inaugural 125-pound belt on Sept. 22, are two vocal proponents of Ortiz’s integral mark in mixed martial arts.