Tito Ortiz is gone from the UFC for good.

[bobbymart]

JUST SAW THIS ON MMA JUNKIE

Speculation has been running rampant for months now about the future of former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz and whether or not he would consider re-signing with the organization following the last fight on his contract against Lyoto Machida at UFC 84.

During an appearance on MMAWeekly Radio Wednesday night, Ortiz says he is “100%” that he will not return to the UFC.

“Me going to somewhere else is 100% happening,” said Ortiz.

Ortiz alluded to his frustration with the president of the UFC, Dana White, as the major factor in the decision, but he admitted he left with a heavy heart when saying goodbye to the fans after his fight last Saturday night.

“Later on after the fight was over, I was sitting down going over the loss, I think that’s when it really touched me that that’s going to be my last time walking out for the UFC,” Ortiz stated. “It’s really hard to say, but the president, the way he treats me, I can’t continue on with them. He’s a monster and I’m going to go elsewhere where they respect me.”

“I’m very thankful for the fans, every one of the fans, I even talked to after and so forth, we’re like ‘we’re going to follow you no matter what Tito, no matter where you go. We’re going to follow you.’ It’s just the fact of getting the greatest fights ahead of me from this point on and continue my career, turn the next chapter in my life.”

It seemed for a moment following the fight between Ortiz and Machida that possibly fences could be mended between the fighter and the promotion, but the “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” says his mind is made up.

“No, I’m not going back to the UFC, I don’t want to,” commented the former champion. “I can sleep now and not worry about what’s going to be said about me. I don’t have to worry about what I have to say to make sure I say the right thing. I’m sick of kissing ass and I’m not doing it anymore.”

Following the fight, Ortiz will embark on a three week tour of the country in support of his recently released autobiography, “This is Gonna Hurt.” He will also weigh his options of signing on with an existing promotion or possibly starting his own organization.

While the California native will be unable to attend the upcoming Elite XC show in New Jersey due to family obligations, Ortiz said that he and girlfriend Jenna Jameson will definitely be attending the debut Affliction produced card.

Ortiz stated that he would like to have another fight set up by “September or October” and he’ll be judging promotions on many things including marketing, promotion and various other factors.

“Then it’s time to start plugging away and see what show fits perfect for me,” said Ortiz.

[dominatetheiron]

not to be a jerk or anything i always thought ortiz had a bad attitude and was somewhat of a punk. Dana handled him the way he should have. seemed like ortiz wanted to walk all over everyone and Dana doesnt allow that. Someone pushed back at ortiz and he crumbled.

[P-Ram]

I was never a Tito Ortiz fan, guy was a scum bag. Good riddance. I wouldn't be surprised if he heads over to Elite XC.

[brandona]

Damn, I will miss the insightfull conversations between Tito and Dana. So much love bwtween them, MMA's own Odd Couple...

-B

[firsthorseman97]

I actually warmed up to Tito in recent years but the drama between Dana and him was getting old. IMO he's past his prime so I don't think he's a big loss to the UFC.

So will Tito make it into the Hall of Fame or not?

As far as I know the only record he holds is a tie for the most title defenses.

[jer]

Wonder where he'll end up.

WEC?
Elite XC?

Either way, he's not the same fighter that he was. It's probably Jenna's fault.

As much as a dick that he was, I think it was mostly for his "bad boy" image. When he was coaching TUF, I thought he was a good guy, and that was probably more like he really is.

[k1usa]

I co promoted the K1 events in Vegas for 3 years...and have met Tito many times....lots of show...some turse words these guys share...but I can tell you from the times I have helped him with tickets and seating for his friends....and haveing lunch with him at the Bellagio...he is a good guy...dont let all the hype on TV through you....its a tough game....but look for Tito to possibly show up on the ESPN Strkeforce programs. Frank Shamrock just faught Cung Le here in San Jose...great fight...and easy to get tickets for and a local fun event. The promoter for Strike force is a great fellow...worked with him on these events in the Bay Area as well as for him on the K1's in Vegas...Im sure he has something going with Tito...ys just never know. Tito needs to get some wins under his belt. This I can tell you....5 years ago my friend Jerome Le Banner and I tryed to get Dana to accept two great fighters from France to fight in the UFC..sent video....the whole smash...and all he could say is...."yea...not to bad... but Ill pay them $***** and it was embarrasing to tell the fighters they would just get covered for travel and not enough to make it worth while....and Jerome got pissed and now years later there is talk coming from UFC to intice Jerome to get his super heavyweight into the ring with Brock and the boys...but againe...the money has to be right. Promoters sometimes get the big head snd forget if not for the fighters...no bucks for the promoters.....the fighters put their shit on the line and the promoters look at the grand stands and cable buys and count green backs in their minds.....so.....just some insight from my perspective...I miss that game...big time....not a lot of many to make on a huge event...but it was an honor to bust it with the big guys...

[bobbymart]

I co promoted the K1 events in Vegas for 3 years...and have met Tito many times....lots of show...some turse words these guys share...but I can tell you from the times I have helped him with tickets and seating for his friends....and haveing lunch with him at the Bellagio...he is a good guy...dont let all the hype on TV through you....its a tough game....but look for Tito to possibly show up on the ESPN Strkeforce programs. Frank Shamrock just faught Cung Le here in San Jose...great fight...and easy to get tickets for and a local fun event. The promoter for Strike force is a great fellow...worked with him on these events in the Bay Area as well as for him on the K1's in Vegas...Im sure he has something going with Tito...ys just never know. Tito needs to get some wins under his belt. This I can tell you....5 years ago my friend Jerome Le Banner and I tryed to get Dana to accept two great fighters from France to fight in the UFC..sent video....the whole smash...and all he could say is...."yea...not to bad... but Ill pay them $***** and it was embarrasing to tell the fighters they would just get covered for travel and not enough to make it worth while....and Jerome got pissed and now years later there is talk coming from UFC to intice Jerome to get his super heavyweight into the ring with Brock and the boys...but againe...the money has to be right. Promoters sometimes get the big head snd forget if not for the fighters...no bucks for the promoters.....the fighters put their shit on the line and the promoters look at the grand stands and cable buys and count green backs in their minds.....so.....just some insight from my perspective...I miss that game...big time....not a lot of many to make on a huge event...but it was an honor to bust it with the big guys...

I have met Tito and several other top tier fighters tv does hype up his cokieness however he is past his prime all the great fighters from years ago are being one upped from the new breed of fighters look at Matt Hughes losing his last fight and the one before people like Thiago Alves and Anderson Silva also GSP and BJ Penn have taken fighting to an entire new other fight organizations can't keep up with the ufc and there caliber of fighters especially now that ufc bought out pride elite xc is a joke Frank is there only good fighter and from what I understand he has steeped down and is just announcing for them UFC has the best fighters in the world they also own WEC and that is kinda there showcase for there has beens like jens pulver tommy spere fought there and we will see some more popping up on there radar soon UFC will be on top for a very long time and like him or not Dana White is the best thing to happen to mma and he is a very smart business man.

[firsthorseman97]

Did you hear Mayweather is supposed to sign a $200 million contract with the UFC? I heard it on the radio today. That was all that was said. Not sure if anyone else heard anything.

[TheBassGuy]

I saw that Mayweather announced his retirement from boxing the other day. I had also heard the rumor that they were trying to sign him to a UFC contract before.

[jer]

After the smack Mayweather was talking about MMA? lol

He's a smart business man as well, I bet he had this idea in the back of his head the whole time.

I know he's an excellent boxer and a good athlete, but I think he's in way over his head in the MMA game.


$200 million? I don't believe it. Maybe in the tens of millions, just for the fans he'd bring to the cage, but hey, I don't know, I guess we'll find out soon enough.

EDIT:
here's a link to the story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3165552

[r-ace-f]

i used to dislike tito especially when he had the feud with ken shamrock.but it's sad he's leaving the ufc. like him or not, he gave us good fights and entertainment, especially when chuck knocked him out after he had such a big mouth haha

[TheBassGuy]

i used to dislike tito especially when he had the feud with ken shamrock.but it's sad he's leaving the ufc. like him or not, he gave us good fights and entertainment, especially when chuck knocked him out after he had such a big mouth haha

I dislike Ken more than Tito so I didn't mind seeing him beat the snot out of Ken three times :D

[panzerwagen]

I dislike Ken more than Tito so I didn't mind seeing him beat the snot out of Ken three times :D

I think Ken's the greatest! I never liked Tito, especially during the Shamrock-Tito conflict. Still, I wanted Tito to win his last fight against what's-his-name, but unfortunately it didn't work out for him. Sad shit.

[The Young One]

Ortiz and Dana were supposed to fight, but Ortiz never showed up.

[Cstlfx]

Ortiz and Dana were supposed to fight, but Ortiz never showed up.

Yea, that was crap. If you demand to have it in your contract, you better show up.


Its sad to see him go. I was hoping they keep him around longer so that he could get beat more. I never really liked him, but that might be more media spin than anything. I always thought it was awesome of him telling everyone to support the troops. Hell, even in his last fight that was the only thing he had on his poster.

[r-ace-f]

geez i just watched tito vs vitor belfort. what a great fight! it's a a shame vitor couldn't knock him out. i really like vitor but it's so frustrating when you want him to strike and then he gets taken down i beaten down till the bell rings. also against randy couture the third time they fought. i suppose that's what you do to a striker when he can't defend against the takedown well enough. anyways, tito vs belfort, great fight!

[brandon cutler]

After the smack Mayweather was talking about MMA? lol

He's a smart business man as well, I bet he had this idea in the back of his head the whole time.

I know he's an excellent boxer and a good athlete, but I think he's in way over his head in the MMA game.


$200 million? I don't believe it. Maybe in the tens of millions, just for the fans he'd bring to the cage, but hey, I don't know, I guess we'll find out soon enough.

EDIT:
here's a link to the story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3165552


i could believe it for 200mil. a guy like that would blow the sport up more than anybody yet. think about it. it would prove to people that boxers might not be able to keep their shit together on the mma ring. or could they.

[bobbymart]

i could believe it for 200mil. a guy like that would blow the sport up more than anybody yet. think about it. it would prove to people that boxers might not be able to keep their shit together on the mma ring. or could they.

I boxed for years and any quality MMA guy would destroy 99% of boxers... they don't train to defend takedowns plain and simple and the style of striking that GSP OR PENN OR EVEN ANDERSON SILVA for that matter can dish out I have never seen a boxer display that type of tallent.

[brandon cutler]

I boxed for years and any quality MMA guy would destroy 99% of boxers... they don't train to defend takedowns plain and simple and the style of striking that GSP OR PENN OR EVEN ANDERSON SILVA for that matter can dish out I have never seen a boxer display that type of tallent.

i hear what your saying man, but for example, if any of these mma guys today faught someone like tyson they would get their shit tossed. they wouldnt get a chance to take tyson down. his fists are to fast, and if he hit them w a halfway decent shot their in the hospital

mayweather aint on tysons level and not nearly his size but i think u see where im getting at.

[bobbymart]

i hear what your saying man, but for example, if any of these mma guys today faught someone like tyson they would get their shit tossed. they wouldnt get a chance to take tyson down. his fists are to fast, and if he hit them w a halfway decent shot their in the hospital

mayweather aint on tysons level and not nearly his size but i think u see where im getting at.

tyson would get destroyed by an illusive striker like Chuck Lidell or even someone like Randy Couture, tyson would be like Kimbo Slice a good striker but worthless when it comes ot MMA you can have the fastest hands in the world but if you get a good grecko roman guy like Randy or a good wrestler you wont know when they are going to slam you against the cage and dirty box you or when they are going to take you down there is no way to defend somthing if you don't know it's coming

and bass rutden can hit almost as hard as tyson could and people could take his punches and still fight there are not many heavy weigths out there who could not take one of tyson's shots and keep going when yo uare on that level you need to be able to take a punch and by the way Fedor would destroy tyson so would Tim silvia. tyson just would not do good

[brandon cutler]

i know mma is a totally different ball game. tyson had the hardest punch in the world at 1 time.

tyson with those mma gloves, hitting someone, would be like barry bonds hitting you with a fucking baseball bat.

theres no way any of these guys could stand up and fight with tyson, if they could get him to the ground somehow then hed be in trouble.

[bobbymart]

i know mma is a totally different ball game. tyson had the hardest punch in the world at 1 time.

tyson with those mma gloves, hitting someone, would be like barry bonds hitting you with a fucking baseball bat.

theres no way any of these guys could stand up and fight with tyson, if they could get him to the ground somehow then hed be in trouble.

we'll have to agree to disagree I don't think tyson had the hardest punch in the world and I have seen pro boxers take square hits from tyson and keep moving foreward but in my opinion there is no other type of martial arts / boxing that can hold a candle to a well rounded mixed martial artist and it has never been proven otherwise but time and time again people with one form of martial arts / boxing / wrestling, get there asses beat by people that have several forms perfected.

[brandon cutler]

we'll have to agree to disagree I don't think tyson had the hardest punch in the world and I have seen pro boxers take square hits from tyson and keep moving foreward but in my opinion there is no other type of martial arts / boxing that can hold a candle to a well rounded mixed martial artist and it has never been proven otherwise but time and time again people with one form of martial arts / boxing / wrestling, get there asses beat by people that have several forms perfected.

fair enough. but those gloves make a big difference also. cant forget that

regardless, i think mayweather going into the ufc would be great for the sport

next thing you know ray lewis might try and get into the ring, would be good to see some of these guys from different sports step up.

would draw in all different kinds of crowds

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=47129338

this guy was my company commander of 8th regiment on camp lejeune north carolina. he was a big dude in person. was with his unit for a couple of months before i got out. he was a good marine too. and he seems to be a good up and coming fighter.

he had talked about being a mma fighter, but i had no idea he was on this level.
it was amazing when i saw him one day, after i was out of the marines, on tv beating some dude down in under a minute. i think he has the belt for his fighting federation, wec or something

[InkdMuscle]

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=47129338

this guy was my company commander of 8th regiment on camp lejeune north carolina. he was a big dude in person. was with his unit for a couple of months before i got out. he was a good marine too. and he seems to be a good up and coming fighter.

he had talked about being a mma fighter, but i had no idea he was on this level.
it was amazing when i saw him one day, after i was out of the marines, on tv beating some dude down in under a minute. i think he has the belt for his fighting federation, wec or something[/QUOTE]

you are correct. I cant remember what former champ he took it from. I wanna say doug "rhino" marshal. It was a good fight. They were throwing blows then brian cought him with a good right hand i belive and dropped rhino and claimed the belt after ref stoppage.