Tito Ortiz faces Ryan Bader at UFC 132 with the stress that his job is on the line. In a three part blog, ESPN presents Ortiz in his own words. Tito reminds us that he should be respected as a pioneer in the UFC brand and that he is “The Last of the Mohicans“. He also explains that he hasn’t exactly lost all his fights since 2006 (even though his fight record may reflect straigh losses). Ortiz says he broke down those last few fights to Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta and thinks he earned their respect to keep fighting, which is why he was given another shot after his loss to Matt Hamill. He admits he would have liked an easier opponent than Ryan Bader but accepts the top challenges for the top dollar he gets paid.
Excerpts from his blog below:
After Chuck Liddell beat me in December 2006, I took on Rashad Evans, who went on to be a world champion and has lost only once since. And I beat him. It was only a “draw” because I got a point taken off for the one, single time when I grabbed the fence. It was a draw, but I was the better fighter in the cage. I won.
Then I fought Lyoto Machida, a great fighter who also went on to win the world title. I almost caught him in a triangle and tapped him out. He admitted he thought he was going to pass out. I lost and it sucked, but I was competitive.
Next was a rematch with Forrest Griffin, whom I beat earlier in our careers. I didn’t get the decision this time, but a lot of people felt I won two rounds to one. Again, I was more than competitive with a top-5 guy.
My last fight, against Matt Hamill in October, I lost. It was totally my bad; I didn’t prepare for his takedowns because I didn’t think he’d be able to take me down. Real dumb, my bad, and I am still pissed at myself.
But, again, I am not getting dominated. I’m not getting knocked out like Liddell was late in his career. I am still competitive with the very best guys in the division and haven’t taken a step down in competition since the day I lost my belt in 2003.
I think Dana respected that I had the fire to say, “Hell no, I don’t want to retire! I want to fight!” and argued that I should fight on. So they’re giving me this shot against Ryan Bader, another top-5 guy who has only ever lost to [current UFC light heavyweight champion] Jon Jones.
Would I have liked Dana to give me an easier opponent? Sure! But, hey, they pay me top-attraction money, so I get top-attraction guys …
I’m the Last of the Mohicans. Out of the fighters who helped build the UFC from what it was in the 1990s to what it is now in 2011, they’re all gone except for me. Chuck Liddell has retired; Randy Couture has retired. I’m the last man standing, and now everyone thinks Ryan Bader is going to put me down, too.
I don’t want to go. I’m not going to go. I am going to push the pace and win this fight July 2. My back is right against wall. I’m coming out swinging.
UFC 132 goes down Saturday, July 2nd. To place your bets on Tito Ortiz vs. Ryan Bader, click the icon to your favorite online sports book at the top right of our page.