Certified hottie Corissa Furr of Fighting Famous was recently able to score an interview with the mixed martial artist formerly known as “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy,” Tito Ortiz, in the midst of training for his upcoming bout with Antonio Rogerio Nogueria at UFC 140. Ortiz was quick to correct Furr when introduced as such, claiming to have taken on a more positive, Sanchezian outlook on life, in order to show that “through hard work and dedication you can achieve anything in this life.” Though this kind of mentality can do wonders for the soul, be wary Tito, it can reek havoc on one’s appearance.
Tito goes on to state that he “doesn’t even talk trash to fighters anymore.” Some of you will likely find yourself scratching your head after reading and/or hearing this statement, and rightfully so, considering the shit storm of verbal warfare Ortiz came at Rashad Evans with before his last fight in the UFC. But that was like, 4 months ago, you guys. Time has a way of changing people. So while you’re at it Tito, go ahead check the whole flinch test at the weigh-ins off that list of as well.
Some highlights:
On the UFC on FOX deal: “Just to see that Dana White and Lorenzo Fertita have worked so hard to get UFC where it is, giving us fighters an opportunity to fight on a main stage as Fox…and Fox picking us up, I’m very thankful.” (Oh, how the tides have turned.)
On his positive attitude: “I took a lot from my own book, I’ve been through so much hard stuff through my life and I’ve kind of seen the positive note of, ‘you surround yourself with great people and positive people and great things turn out from that,’ and I think I learned that on myself.”
On fighting three times in a year: “I’ve gone through major surgeries [and] been able to get back in the gym and push myself in training. I’m excited. I just want to get in the cage again. After fighting Ryan Bader and beating him and then coming in against Rashad *looks to camera* who had 14 months to prepare for it, and it shows why he’s the number one contender. I put on a great fight. I almost caught him in a submission, he defended it well, and now I’m fighting little Nog…my hands are full but I plan on getting my hands raised.”
On fighting in front of Canadians for the first time: “I heard its crazy in Toronto and I can’t wait for it. I have great support through my Canadian fans who go to *website plug* *clothing company plug*…and I’m very thankful for my Canadian fans, so they get to see me live in Toronto.”
On Pride vs. UFC and fighting Shogun: “Now that we’re all together, I think it don’t matter about the past, it’s all about the future of fighting the best. Little Nog is one of the best, Shogun IS one of the best…Time will come for everything, I think, and I think right now it’s just December 10th.”
On possibly becoming “Comeback Fighter of the Year”: “I don’t know, I think beating Bader already showed I was the comeback fighter of the year. I never went anywhere, I just got through some major surgeries and any other athlete would have quit…I got Submission of the Night against Ryan Bader, I got Fight of the Night against Rashad Evans, let’s try to get knockout of the night against little Nog.”
-Danga