Tito Ortiz is slated to return in July in what is expected to be the last bout of his professional career.
As far as potential opponents go, Forrest Griffin‘s name comes up often, but Ortiz could be looking to end his career against legendary adversary and UFC Hall of Famer Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell.
“Hopefully on fourth of July weekend, I’ll be fighting my last fight, and I’ll be done. It’s time to walk away,” Ortiz told MiddleEasy.com.
“I know everyone would love to see me against Chuck. I don’t know. We’ll see what Dana and Lorenzo has to offer and see what they want to do, sit down with Lorenzo next week and Dana and let’s make my last fight, and let’s make it a memorable one.”
While Ortiz and Griffin both own a victory over one another, Liddell has had “The People’s Champ’s” number for quite sometime. The former training partners first met inside the octagon in April 2004 at UFC 47, where Liddell scored a second-round TKO stoppage over the former light heavyweight champion.
The rematch came two years later. While Ortiz amounted more of an offensive effort, the outcome remained the same. Liddell stuffed the takedown and took Ortiz apart on the feet for a third-round stoppage.
Liddell retired from the sport after suffering a brutal knockout loss to Rich Franklin in June 2010. Would he consider returning for one last fight against Ortiz?
Regardless of the future, Ortiz seems to be in a good place in terms of his health and personal life.
“I’m doing great man. I’m actually enjoying the new year, enjoyed Christmas. It was nice to spend time with my family and not have to worry about training this time,” Ortiz said.
“Health is doing amazing. After the fight against [Antonio Rogerio] Nogueira, I got hit in the body, no broken ribs. I was very stoked, but a little bruised, and my heart hurts more than I think my body does, but it’s one of those things that happens as a fighter. Some win, some lose, just as long as I can walk away knowing that I learned something from it.”
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