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Tito Ortiz wanted something more to fight for, so he and Alberto Del Rio came to a unique compromise.
In one of the weirder MMA storylines of the year, former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz has decided to come out of retirement (again) to sign with Combate Americas. Why? So he can fight former WWE champ and longtime martial arts practitioner Jose Alberto Rodriguez, better known to pro wrestling fans as Alberto Del Rio.
The promotion has announced a date of December 7th for the bout in Hidalgo, TX, which will air on PPV. As an added incentive for the bout, Ortiz came up with the idea that each man could put one of their old belts on the line – a UFC belt of Tito’s, and a WWE belt of ADR’s. Del Rio agreed.
MMA Mania conducted an interview with the two men (which you can watch in full above) where they explained their motivations (transcription via Cageside Seats):
Tito Ortiz: Well, this is my idea. I wanted it. I want that belt. That’s how bad, it gives me a motivation that I haven’t had in a long, long time. Because now I see an opportunity to get something I’ve always wanted as a kid. And I still have that kid inside of me. I bust my ass for 22 years to have something, and now I have a chance to have something and that’s going to be that world title belt right there.
Alberto Del Rio: That’s fantastic. That’s actually a really good idea from Tito. Yes, it was Tito’s idea. I know the one with the bright ideas most of the time, but this idea wasn’t mine. It was Tito’s and I told Campbell McLaren that’s a fantastic idea, because we’re putting our legacy, something that we worked so freaking hard to get to put around our waist. Regardless of if it was pro wrestling or MMA, we both worked hard, and it wasn’t easy. Even though they (the belts) are not sanctioned by anyone, but it’s sanctioned by us…
Tito: It’s sanctioned by my legacy.
Alberto: … Because it’s in our trophy room. It tells you everything about us as personas, as athletes. It’s blood, sweat, and tears. That’s what we’re putting on the line.
I’m not sure if that will drive any more fan interest to the bout or not, but it’s different at least.