If this is true, their may be a very marketable free agent floating around. Time is running out in the relationship between the UFC and Tito Ortiz. The UFC believes that Ortiz is no longer the fighter he once was, and that he is no longer worthy of the pay check that he desires. Tito, once a world champion in the UFC, has became more of a celebrity than a fighter of late. He is currently on the television show Celebrity Apprentice, he runs his own clothing line and is dating Jenna Jameson. With all of the time he has spent on television, I am curious how much training he has done.
Over his career he has fought the likes of Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, Ken Shamrock, and Forrest Griffin, but the biggest fight of his career has been with Dana White. Throughout his career the two haven’t exactly seen eye to eye. It was bad enough to schedule a three round boxing fight that never happened. It seems that feud is still continuing between the two. It has been reported by multiple sources that the two have been in contracts talks for over 6 months, and Ortiz even skipped Dana and went to Zuffa. He still had the same results, and still doesn’t have a new contract.
At this point it does not look like the UFC will renew his contract. This means in the future a bidding war could ensue. This winner of this war will get one of the highest profile fighters in the history of the UFC, a former Ultimate Fighter Coach, and former UFC Champion. That in itself is will attract fans. If he goes to an organization such as HDNet Fights, he could help lift them into the limelight. Add Tito to a card with Floyd Mayweather at 155 and you have a monster fight card! Marc Cuban is not a dummy, and he would market such a card to the extreme.
No one knows what the future holds for the UFC or Tito Ortiz. Unless he fights and loses again, or fades away in the sunset, he will continue to be a popular fighter. People want to see him fight, and will pay to do so. Tito needs to get back in the gym and commit to training. He has the ability to be a superstar in other organizations. The UFC has left him behind. He will never be champion again in the UFC. He can’t beat Evans, let alone Chuck or Rampage. He is better off leaving the UFC, and starting a fresh career somewhere else. If he can not rejuvenate his career somewhere else, then it may be time to hang it up and use his celebrity status to make a paycheck.
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January 23rd, 2008 at 7:37 am
Very well written article. Writer highlights several interesting points. I like that the writer challenges the subject with documented facts. A little controversial however, intriguing to the reader because not every one will have that same opinion. This leaves an opening for conversation or debate. Good piece. Look forward to the next one.
January 23rd, 2008 at 7:50 am
The concept of him leaving the UFC is something that everyone is talking about. He needs to man up and make a decision and commit to something other than fame. Fighting is about being the best and if you don’t have that drive, then why fight? He needs to ask himself “why am I fighting?” I think he’s lost the drive to be a fighter and needs to leave before he looses everything that he has achieved. I think the article hits on what needs to happen with him. I’m looking forward to reading more from this writer.
January 23rd, 2008 at 8:23 am
Although reportedly the point deduction caused Tito to suffer a draw against Evans. Tito is getting older and has a reoccurring back injury. But can he beat Evans? I think so. Evans striking is very suspect and he pretty much does nothing on the floor as evident in his main event against Bisping.
Win or Lose I give credit to Tito for marketing himself and taking care of his business. There are too many stories about fighters living destitute lives after their careers are long gone. Whether they squandered their money or their coffers have been eaten up by medical expenses, agents and licensing fees, many fighters do not enjoy the fruits of their labor after their careers. The promotional companies continue to prosper financially.
Obviously the UFC will be fine with life after Tito, but it looks like Tito Ortiz like Randy Couture will be fine with life after the UFC. Tito, Penn, and Couture left the UFC before and Tito has been talking about leaving the UFC for a while. After Lyoto Machida defeats Tito, there will be room for new business saavy fighters who is not only dedicated to their craft but also taking care of themselves like . . . errr Brock Lesnar.
January 23rd, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Thanks for the comments and please keep them coming! I am glad you like the article, and yes I agree, the UFC and Tito can sustain without the other!