Even in retirement, MMA legend and UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz is still outspoken. “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” believes he could’ve beaten 205-pound champ Jon “Bones” Jones if not for the catalogue of injuries he sustained during his storied career. Via MMAMania.com, Ortiz “MMA Uncensored Live”:
“One hundred percent. For sure, I would have. I’d be beating Jon Jones, right now. I’d be beating everybody else that I’ve fought, up to this point. I still might have been 19-2.”
Ortiz was also asked as to whether he would’ve defeated the phenom Jones during the height of his powers.
In unwavering fashion he candidly reiterated his earlier boast.
“100 percent. What do you think I’m gonna say, no? I was the champion. I was dominant. Jon Jones tried to beat my record. I would have beaten Jon Jones.”
At present, Ortiz holds the record for most consecutive title defenses in the UFC’s 205-pound class—five.
However, Jones is hot on his heels with three successful defenses already in the bag and a possible fourth on the way if he can get past Dan Henderson at UFC 151.
Ortiz made his curtain call at UFC 148, though it wasn’t the best of leaving parties, as he lost a rubber match to Forrest Griffin.
Ortiz’s career has been blighted with numerous injuries and as well as extensive surgeries, and as a consequence, the ground-and-pound specialist is adamant that no amount of cajoling will force him out of retirement.
Prior to the Forrest fight, I had 50-percent of my meniscus taken out. During the fight, I guess I re-tore the ACL in my right knee. So, I’m looking to get ACL replacement on my right knee. I had a neck problem, no one knew about it. But, I’m possibly getting neck surgery, again. This is why I’m retired. I’m sick of getting surgeries, man.
I’m done. I’ve done what I wanted to do in mixed martial arts. I’ve got to this point in my career. Fifteen years, I thought, was good enough for me. I defended my light heavyweight title five consecutive times. I’ve done what I wanted to do. It was about money. I made my business, I needed it for what I wanted to do. I’m done. I’m content where I am and to work on the business side of it. I don’t have the hunger for it, anymore. I’m sick of getting surgeries.
That being said, it seems the 37-year-old Santa Ana-native is wholly content with retirement as he can now focus more on his family and growing businesses.
It’s everything that I expected it to be — fishing, enjoying life, it’s been a great time with my family, me and Jenna, all of my kids, doing my clothing, Punishment Athletics, my nutrition and my gyms. I’m just working hard on the business aspect of it. Instead of my brawn, now it’s time to use my brain. Thank God I went to college!
Over the course of his career, Ortiz (16-11-1MMA, 15-11-1 UFC) was involved in some epic battles, which included a treble victory against Ken Shamrock and two defeats to Chuck Liddell.
Nevertheless, he leaves the MMA stage having amassed just one win in his last nine outings.
For additional information, follow Nedu Obi on Twitter.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com