Tag: Tito Ortiz

Tito Ortiz Ready For UFC Return, Wants to Fight ‘Shogun’ Rua in Retirement Bout

Tito OrtizTito Ortiz is ready to call it a career in combat sports and intends on retiring under the bright lights of the UFC. Ortiz, 47, has stayed fairly active in combat sports since his exit from the UFC 10 years ago. Under the Bellator banner, Ortiz won three out of four bouts before moving onto […]

Tito Ortiz

Tito Ortiz is ready to call it a career in combat sports and intends on retiring under the bright lights of the UFC.

Ortiz, 47, has stayed fairly active in combat sports since his exit from the UFC 10 years ago. Under the Bellator banner, Ortiz won three out of four bouts before moving onto a short political career that was marred in controversy.

Now the ‘Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ is ready for one more fight and wants to do it in the Octagon with fellow former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua.

“It’s never over and I think I made that mistake with the UFC when I said I’ll never fight for the UFC ever again,” Ortiz said while speaking to Helen Yee Sports. “And now that I think about it, that’ll be an amazing last fight for myself and for Shogun Rua.

“Shogun has his last fight with the UFC, we’re in kind of the same era, so it would be nice to see a Tito Ortiz vs. Shogun. I would like that.”

Tito Ortiz Believes ‘Shogun’ is The Perfect Opponent For His Retirement

Despite both being signed by the promotion from 2007 to 2012, Ortiz and Rua never crossed paths. Now with ‘Shogun’ on the final fight of his UFC contract and facing retirement himself, Ortiz believes it’s the perfect opportunity to book a contest between the two icons.

“I have a lot of respect for Shogun, I think he’s an amazing former champion, an amazing fighter,” said Ortiz. “I watched his last fight. I thought he won the fight, but they ended up giving it to OSP. Let’s see what happens in the future.”

‘Shogun’ has dropped his last two contests. Most recently he was on the losing end of a close split decision to Ovince St. Preux at UFC 274. 

On the flip side, Ortiz has won his last three mixed martial arts bouts. In 2018, Ortiz defeated his UFC rival Chuck Liddell in a trilogy bout under the Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions label. Ortiz followed that up with a first-round submission over Alberto Rodriguez, better known to WWE fans as Alberto Del Rio. 

Do you want to see Tito Ortiz return to the UFC for a retirement bout against ‘Shogun’ Rua?

Bisping Recalls Dana White’s Preparation For Boxing Match With Tito Ortiz

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping has described just how seriously Dana White was taking a potential boxing bout with Tito Ortiz in 2007. The sport of mixed martial arts is full of intriguing matchups that never came to fruition, from the cursed Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson bout and a dream clash between Khabib…

Continue Reading Bisping Recalls Dana White’s Preparation For Boxing Match With Tito Ortiz at MMA News.

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping has described just how seriously Dana White was taking a potential boxing bout with Tito Ortiz in 2007.

The sport of mixed martial arts is full of intriguing matchups that never came to fruition, from the cursed Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson bout and a dream clash between Khabib and former champ-champ Georges St-Pierre to… Dana White vs. Tito Ortiz?

For those new to MMA, that probably seems like a joke. Nope, the UFC President was seriously going to box “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” at one point in time.

During a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, UFC Hall of Famer Bisping counted down five of the craziest UFC stories. Unsurprisingly, White’s near-venture between the ropes took the number two spot.

Describing what led to the bizarre booking, “The Count” recalled White’s deteriorating relationship with Ortiz, who he’d managed prior to purchasing the UFC alongside the Fertitta brothers.

“Dana was supposed to box the former light heavyweight champion of the world, Tito Ortiz. Now, this all started because Dana White used to manage Chick Liddell and Tito Ortiz,” recalled Bisping. “When you’re the owner of the UFC, you can’t then be a manager as well… His relationship with Tito Ortiz went south.

“At one contract negotiation, Tito actually wanted a specific clause put in. That clause was that Dana White had to box him,” added Bisping. “When Dana used to manage him, they used to spar, and by all accounts, Dana used to get the better of him.”

Having been more than open to the idea, White accepted and began his preparations. According to Bisping, the UFC President’s training showed just how serious he was taking it…

Bisping: White Was Sparring Guys A Decade Younger

At the time of the contract, Ortiz was a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion who had defended the belt five times during a three-year reign. With that in mind, and with the Californian far from past his prime, White knew that he had to be serious about the match if it was to end well for him.

So, serious is how he took it.

According to Bisping, White got himself in great shape through workouts wherever he could fit them in, and the presence of a personal trainer and dietician.

“Dana, being a lover of the sweet science, loved this idea, and wanted to do it. The problem was, he was 37 years old, and he was living the life of a UFC president,” said Bisping. “So, he needed some time to get into shape. And that is what he was doing. By the way, I signed with the UFC about this time and let me tell you, Dana was taking this very, very seriously.

“He would work out whenever he could, in hotel rooms, in the offices; as I say, anywhere he could. Sparring the guys that were a decade younger than him, he had a personal trainer everywhere he went,” continued Bisping. “Plus, he also had a dietician who had the authority to take his food off him… He managed to get himself in fantastic shape.”

Bisping went on to describe how when talk of the bout hit mainstream media, the Nevada Athletic Commission found out and correctly stepped in to insist the fight be regulated, including a weigh-in and medicals. White was even required to seek a legitimate boxing license.

While two of the three parties were present when it came time to scrap, the presence of one “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” was missing.

“Come fight time, Dana showed up, went to the weigh-ins. The Nevada Athletic Commission was there. But Tito Ortiz did not show up,” said Bisping. “He said afterwards, ‘Look, listen, in that contract, I wanted to have a sparring session. I did not want to have a fight, a professional bout.’”

In recent years, crossover boxing bouts have become a bit of a sensation in the sport. As well as YouTube star Jake Paul leading the charge with bouts against former MMA champions Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren, Ortiz has even tried his hand at pugilism, sharing the ring with UFC legend Anderson Silva in 2021.

Perhaps after seeing “The Spider” brutally knock Ortiz out last year, White may be tempted to revive talk of a boxing bout against the former light heavyweight titleholder. Or, with Ortiz open to one final UFC outing, perhaps White will be down to don the MMA gloves and be the man to send the veteran into retirement.

How do you think the Dana White vs. Tito Ortiz boxing match would have gone in 2007?

Continue Reading Bisping Recalls Dana White’s Preparation For Boxing Match With Tito Ortiz at MMA News.

Tito Ortiz Pitches Double-Retirement Fight With Shogun Rua

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz is looking to make a return to MMA, and believes he’s identified the perfect opponent. Ortiz, a 34-fight mixed martial arts veteran, hasn’t entered the cage since 2019. Across his last three bouts, “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” defeated a trio of notable names. After besting Chael Sonnen…

Continue Reading Tito Ortiz Pitches Double-Retirement Fight With Shogun Rua at MMA News.

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz is looking to make a return to MMA, and believes he’s identified the perfect opponent.

Ortiz, a 34-fight mixed martial arts veteran, hasn’t entered the cage since 2019. Across his last three bouts, “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” defeated a trio of notable names. After besting Chael Sonnen at Bellator 170, Ortiz completed his trilogy (regrettably, in the eyes of many) with longtime rival Chuck Liddell under the banner of Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.

His third consecutive win and latest appearance came against former WWE star Alberto Del Rio, whom the former UFC champion submitted in round one via rear-naked choke at Combate Americas 51.

Despite being inactive for over two years, aside from a brutal knockout loss to Anderson Silva in the ring last year, and largely turning his attention to politics in the period since his last MMA fight, Ortiz is back in training and looking to throw down with the presence of some surrounding steel.

And despite a rocky relationship with the UFC, which once saw him claim that he’d never fight in the promotion ever again, the 47-year-old is looking to bid farewell to the Octagon with one final walk to it.

Ortiz Targets UFC Swansong Versus A Legend

During a recent interview with Helen Yee, Ortiz admitted that he’d like to end his career in the UFC, pitching a potential double-retirement fight with fellow former light heavyweight titleholder Maurício “Shogun” Rua.

“It’s never over. I think I made that mistake with UFC when I said, ‘I’ll never fight for the UFC ever again,’” said Ortiz. “Now I think about it, that’d be an amazing last fight for myself and for Shogun Rua. I know Shogun has his last fight with the UFC, we’re in kind of the same era, so it’d be nice to see Tito Ortiz vs. Shogun. I’d like that.

“I have a lot of respect for Shogun, I think he’s an amazing former champion, an amazing fighter. I watched his last fight, I thought he won but they ended up giving it to ‘OSP.’ So, I don’t know, let’s see what happens in the future,” concluded Ortiz.

Rua was recently in action at the UFC 274 pay-per-view on May 7. After a largely unentertaining main-card rematch against Ovince Saint-Preux, the Brazilian fell on the wrong side of a split decision verdict, marking back-to-back losses for Shogun for the first time since 2014.

Having not been badly beaten or looked unfit to fight, UFC President Dana White confirmed that the 40-year-old will be given the opportunity to fight out his contract, which has just one bout remaining.

Could it be against Tito Ortiz? We’ll let you decide if that’s a desirable matchup.

How do you think a fight between Tito Ortiz and Shogun Rua would play out?

Continue Reading Tito Ortiz Pitches Double-Retirement Fight With Shogun Rua at MMA News.

Tito Ortiz ‘Guarantees’ Another Fight Before The End Of 2022

tito ortizFormer UFC light-heavyweight champion, Tito Ortiz says he will fight one more time before the end of the year. Now 47-years old, and 10 years removed from his last fight in the UFC, Tito Ortiz ‘guarantees’ he will make a return to the cage before the year is done. Talking to ‘The Schmo’, ‘The Huntington […]

tito ortiz

Former UFC light-heavyweight champion, Tito Ortiz says he will fight one more time before the end of the year.

Now 47-years old, and 10 years removed from his last fight in the UFC, Tito Ortiz ‘guarantees’ he will make a return to the cage before the year is done. Talking to ‘The Schmo’, ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ says his career is not over and revealed he is already in discussions with MMA promotions.

“It’s just preparation, Ortiz began. ‘It’s getting in the gym, continuing in the gym and putting in the work. You can’t have a month camp and try to fight in your 40s, you gotta prepare for the six months, seven months. Its mentality, how young you think you are, myself I’m 47 right now, I won’t be 48 until next year. I feel good, I feel strong.”

“I just started training this week,” Ortiz continued. “I’ll fight one more time this year, before the year is over, I want not to go out the way I did against Anderson [Silva].”

Tito Ortiz talking to The Schmo

Tito Ortiz Vs. Anderson Silva

We last saw Ortiz compete in a boxing match against former UFC middleweight champion, Anderson Silva, as part of Triller’s Holyfield Vs. Belfort event. The American would be brutally knocked out by Silva after an unimpressive performance in just the first round.

This time though, Ortiz says he will be returning to his roots and will make his return to the cage for a MMA contest.

“It’ll be an MMA fight, like I say I just started preparing this week, ill be getting ready here for the next four months, we’ll see maybe September, October another Tito Ortiz in the Cage.”

We last saw Ortiz compete in an MMA fight in 2019 against fighter-turned professional wrestler, Alberto Rodriguez, better known as Alberto Del Rio. The UFC pioneer would submit Rodriguez to earn himself a first-round finish.  

What do you think about Tito Ortiz making a return?

Tito Ortiz Promises MMA Return Before End Of 2022

Tito Ortiz promises to return to the mixed martial arts (MMA) cage before the end of 2022. Ortiz was recently interviewed by The Schmo to talk about his combat sports future, and was asked about himself, amongst others, having success in combat sports well into their 40s. “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” noted that it…

Continue Reading Tito Ortiz Promises MMA Return Before End Of 2022 at MMA News.

Tito Ortiz promises to return to the mixed martial arts (MMA) cage before the end of 2022.

Ortiz was recently interviewed by The Schmo to talk about his combat sports future, and was asked about himself, amongst others, having success in combat sports well into their 40s.

“The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” noted that it all comes down to how old you feel you are mentally, before revealing he’s in talks with an undisclosed promotion to return to the cage for a fight before the end of the year.

“I think it’s just mentality of how young you truly think you are,” Ortiz said. “I mean, myself, I’m 47 right now, I won’t be 48 until next year. I feel good, I feel strong, I just started training this week.

“I’ll fight one more time this year, before the year is over. I want not to go out the way I did against Anderson. It’ll be an MMA fight.”

“But like I say, just started preparing this week, I’ll be getting ready here for the next four months. And we’ll see, maybe September or October, another Tito Ortiz in the cage.”

Ortiz is currently on a three-fight win streak in MMA. Those wins came over Chael Sonnen, Chuck Liddell, and Alberto Del Rio. His last combat sports outing, however, was a boxing match with fellow former UFC champion Anderson Silva.

Silva finished Ortiz in devastating fashion with a first-round knockout. Now, Ortiz is looking to bounce back with a win inside the MMA cage, as he seemingly winds down his career.

Who do you want to see Tito Ortiz fight in his return to MMA action? And which promotion do you think he’s in talks with? Sound off in the comments!

Continue Reading Tito Ortiz Promises MMA Return Before End Of 2022 at MMA News.

UFC Hall Of Famer Chuck Liddell Recounts Bar Fight With Navy SEALs

UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell recently appeared on the podcast Steve-O’s Wild Ride and recounted an altercation he had involving a group of Navy SEALs while he was working in a bar. Host Steve-O and “The Iceman” touched on several topics during the podcast, ranging from Liddell’s rise in the UFC to hiking in…

Continue Reading UFC Hall Of Famer Chuck Liddell Recounts Bar Fight With Navy SEALs at MMA News.

UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell recently appeared on the podcast Steve-O’s Wild Ride and recounted an altercation he had involving a group of Navy SEALs while he was working in a bar.

Host Steve-O and “The Iceman” touched on several topics during the podcast, ranging from Liddell’s rise in the UFC to hiking in Peru. The Jackass star was particularly interested in a story he’d heard about Liddell “fighting with a bunch of Navy SEALs” while Liddell was working as a bartender.

“I wasn’t involved in most of it,” Liddell explained. “The first time they came in, all the guys that trained with me that were normally working at that bar were in Hawaii with us.”

One person who was at the bar was Liddell’s friend and training partner Gan McGee. “The Giant” fought several times in the UFC and challenged Tim Sylvia for the UFC heavyweight strap in 2003.

According to Liddell, McGee ended up with “a cut somewhere on his face” the first time the group came through the bar. The former UFC champion went on to detail what happened when the group of Navy SEALs returned.

“They showed up again two weeks later, and so the guys kind of got back at them,” Liddell said. “When I showed up one of my buddies had a guy pinned and the only thing I did was I ran over and this guy was hitting my buddy that had him pinned. I ran over and just head-snapped the guy and bounced his face off the ground.”

(Esther Lin, MMA Fighting)

Host Steve-O was surprised that the UFC Hall of Famer didn’t choose to grapple in that situation, but Liddell was quick to explain why that was.

“Once it goes to throwing punches I don’t do that. I did that one time in college and got kicked in the face while I was doing it.” He concluded the story by indicating there were no hard feelings regarding the incident, and that “shit happens” when it comes to bar fights.

Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell is one of the most popular fighters in the history of the UFC. He reigned as UFC light heavyweight champion from 2005 to 2007 and is widely credited with helping to establish the modern popularity of both the UFC and the sport of MMA.

After retiring in 2010 following three-straight knockout losses, Liddell returned to action in 2018 for a third fight against rival Tito Ortiz. Contested under the Golden Boy Promotions brand, Liddell lost the fight by first-round KO. Liddell most recently made headlines in 2021 regarding domestic violence charges that were later dropped.

What do you think about the former UFC champion’s story from his days working as a bartender?

Continue Reading UFC Hall Of Famer Chuck Liddell Recounts Bar Fight With Navy SEALs at MMA News.