Tito Ortiz confirms negotiations with the UFC
August 30, 2008 by Sam Caplan
With a possible return of Randy Couture to the UFC in the works, might another former disgruntled UFC fighter be ready to follow in his footsteps?
During last night’s airing of “Inside MMA” on HDNet, former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz stated that in addition to being engaged in contract negotiations with Affliction and EliteXC, a return to the UFC still remains a possibility — albeit a remote one.
“EliteXC — possibility. Affliction — possibility. UFC — a small chance of that happening,” the free agent fighter responded when discussing his future options.
Ortiz’s last fight for the promotion took place in May at UFC 84, where he lost a unanimous decision to undefeated light heavyweight sensation Lyoto Machida. After the fight, the long-standing feud between Ortiz and UFC President Dana White continued during a post-fight press conference. However, it sounds as though that Ortiz might finally be ready to move on.
“The things between me and Dana White, I’m shoving it off and moving on with my life,” Ortiz proclaimed.
Whether or not Ortiz and White can work with each other again in spite of their issues remains to be seen, but if a deal is worked out, it wouldn’t be the first time the two did business together while a great deal of animosity existed between the two.
The reality is that much like a free agent in baseball, basketball, or football, Ortiz is going to sign with whichever promotion makes him the best financial offer, irrespective of his personal feelings.
Sounds like 2005 all over again.
he was really pushing for EXC to sign him. He was basically begging
Is he going to wear a “I’m Dana’s Bitch” t-shirt?
The UFC’s LH division has about 12 or 13 of the TOP 15 light heavy fighters out there , period. With Tito being about 15th, if he is lucky.
Tito will choose the same path as Nick Diaz. He will go to an organization where there is minimal talent and can look good against guys far below the level of talent in the UFC.
With ego’s the size of those 2, they can not take losing. They would rather convince themselves that their losses were “lucky” for the opponent and go and fight guys far below the level of talent they were at previously
Sorry for double….
Not to bash Diaz and Tito…..but if they are going to insist that they are top fighters and want to fight the best that their division can offer, then they cant go away from the top competition.
Sick and tire of Tito. Until he fights again I couldn’t care less to hear from him.
Just like a girl dance shaking TnA around until the a dude buys the biatch a pretty drink. She (Tito) is a has been. Now Couture is worth the $ yet he is’nt runnig his mouth.
Tito stands a better chance of being on Dancing With The Stars,than in the UFC again.
Not that I watch D.W.T.S. or anything.
Tito’s like a cold sore. He just won’t go away
he kinda looks like he’s about to grant a wish in that picture.
grappo that’s effin’ hilarious
Tito is still a good fighter, knock it off with all the hating!
Ok so he lost to chuck, randy, no shame in that. Then he lost to Lyoto–who is undefeated, beat deal. The best part of that fight was when Tito almost submitted him and you know it!! He is still a great fighter and people- especially “casual” fans will pay to see him.
Big deal sp
Mike Wolfe: seriously, I could NOT agree more. I was just about to say the same thing. So annoying. GO AWAY TITO!
king mah mah: “almost” only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Winning fights is what matters.
[...] after this past Friday’s episode of HDNetFight’s Inside MMA, we reported that Tito Ortiz confirmed he was talking with UFC and Elite XC. Here is more video from Inside MMA, where Tito [...]