Tito Ortiz will enter the Octagon once more

Published: 23^rd Mar 12 1:18 am

by Chris Shelton
Houston Sports Blogger

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Tito Ortiz will enter the Octagon once more

Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE

Six-time Champion, Tito Ortiz (16-10-1 MMA, 15-10-1 UFC), is leaving mixed martial arts for good, allegedly.

“I just turned 37 years old,” he said this past month. “I’ve been in the game for 15 years and competing only with the UFC. I know it’s time for me to kind of hang ‘em up.”

Ortiz is one of the most memorable fighters in the minds of long term UFC fans. Fans remember the vicious elbows and the great take downs. He was great in his prime.

Unfortunately for Ortiz, fans also remember Ortiz ducking Chuck Liddell, several times. First, when Ortiz was champion and Liddell was the consensus Number one contender, then when both were hosts of the Ultimate Fighter. But, to be fair, who was not scared of the ‘Iceman’ in those days? Liddell was an absolute beast, he would knock you out without conscience.

Ortiz will also be known for his excessive taunting. Stating that deaf fighter, Matt Hamill had a soft head and decrying his lack of an equilibrium, which were both unsubstantiated.

We all remember his defiant middle fingers when they were directed at the Lion’s Den. I am sure you remember where you were when Ken Shamrock leaped to the top of the cage at UFC 19 in 1999.

It was Chuck Liddell’s first appearance on a televised UFC card.

I bet you feel old now.

Similar to Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Ortiz will finish his UFC career with a bang. Ortiz will take on a common enemy he shares with Jackson, Forest Griffin (18-7 MMA, 9-5 UFC).

Griffin and Ortiz have history, but not in a good way. If it were a marriage, it would have been a slug fest divorce that left both parties broke financially, angry, and looking for closure.

However, Griffin and Ortiz will receive a rubber match. The public will find the closure it seeks on this rivalry, so will Ortiz and Griffin.

Griffin and Ortiz will meet at UFC 148 July 7 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

We will remember Ortiz for what he is.

He was a great champion.

He was immature. He was inappropriate. But he was compelling. And that is all we ask for as UFC fans.

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