Tito Ortiz Challenges Ryan Bader At UFC 132, Is This His Last Chance To Prove Himself In The Octagon?
Tito Ortiz is one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts history. His rivalry with Ken Shamrock is one of the best in history even though Ortiz won all three times they fought each other. He was at one time one of the very best light heavyweight fighters in the world.
Unfortunately for Ortiz, those days are long gone. Since he defeated Shamrock for the third time in October 2006, his record is 0-4-1.
At first you could justify some of the losses because he was going up against some of the best fighters in the world. He lost to Chuck Liddell, Lyoto Machida and Forrest Griffin. He would have beaten Rashad Evans via decision if he hadn’t been docked a point for holding the fence, so he had to settle for a draw.
His last loss was to Matt Hamill, who is a decent fighter but nothing special, at UFC 121. It was believed that Ortiz was going to be released following that loss, but he was given another shot.
Now, he challenges Ryan Bader, who is one of the best wrestlers and a rising star in the sport, at UFC 132. No one expects Ortiz to win this fight, and if all things are equal he shouldn’t win this fight because Bader is just a better fighter.
That would be five losses in six fights for Ortiz. He is popular, yes, but if he can’t compete against the guys in UFC, he has no business still fighting in this organization.
I expect Ortiz to lose in a slaughter. Bader will put on a wrestling clinic, and Ortiz will be looking for a new job.
It’s sad to say because of how great he once was, but it’s the sad reality of the situation.