Pro/Am Contests Blog

Alright, the fight of the night for me.  I am a huge Tito Ortiz fan so I think he is gonna punish Lyoto Machida.  Machida is 12-0, brazilan kung fu fighter with BJJ skills.  He has notable wins over BJ Penn, Rich Franklin and most recently Sokoudjou.  Within the UFC he is known as a very techincal fighter which means boring to most people.  He finally finished a fighter in his last fight against Sokoudjou.  In the UFC you just can’t win but you must win in exciting fashion to move up the ranks.  I was very surprised that he won his last fight and he gained a lot of credit for the victory within the UFC.  Thus he is granted this fight with the Huntington Beach Bad Boy Tito Ortiz.

The former LHW champ is 15-5-1 and a legend in this sport.  Whether you love him or hate him he has done wonders for the growth of mma.  He is a very controversial fighter who brings excitement and entertainment to all his fights, win, lose or draw.  When one thinks of the UFC you think of Chuck, Randy and Tito.  Anyways let me get off his nuts lol.

The fight seems secondary to the feud between Tito and his former manager now UFC president Dana White.  Tito says this will be his last fight within the UFC as long as Dana White is in charge.  Dana believes that Tito is more interested in other endeavors and is not the fighter that he once was, and therefore he doesn’t need to be paid as much as the other top fighters.  "Dana White, when he was my manager, he was the one fighting with the owners at the time to get me more money," Ortiz said. "I’m just doing the things he was doing for me."  Tito believes all fighters not just him need to be paid more for sacrificing their lives day in and day out, we buy ppvs to watch the fighters not Dana White right????  I’m sure Randy Couture agrees with Tito on this one.  So everyone has a side on this one, I am on Tito’s of course.  LOL.

Anyways Tito has a lot of motivation going into this fight quotes like this would motivate anyone right?  "He’s one of the most dishonest human beings I’ve ever met," White said. "I put up with him when he was a good fighter. He’s not anymore. He’s done. I’m no longer in the Tito Ortiz business."  A little bit more respect for the most watched fighter in UFC history, perhaps?!?!  Check the numbers the TUF 3 was the most watched in Spike TV history, Ortiz versus Shamrock and Ortiz versus Liddell were the most bought PPV, Ortiz versus Shamrock 3 was the most watched fight night in Spike’s history as well.

He has had more fights in the octagon (21) and was the longest reigning champ in history 2000-2003.  So will there be a new contract in line for Tito after a victory at 84?  This is what Tito wants: "I’m looking for something where I can be a promoter (as part of a contract with a new company)."  Dana had a quick reply: "There’s not going to be any bidding war," White said. "Gary Shaw (promoter at Elite XC) should offer him $30 a fight because we’re not going to match it."  Dana has even stated that he would love for Tito to lose, he has never wanted any fighter to win or lose in prior fights.  "I want to see Machida win. But if Tito knocks Machida out, I’m still out of the Tito Ortiz business."  It’s too bad that a legend is forced out of the company he helped grow.

Oh yeah he is fighting Machida lol not Dana White.  Is Tito the same fighter from years past?  He dominated Rashad Evans in his last fight, if it wasn’t for a few fence grabs Tito would’ve gotten the decision.  Tito is way too big for Machida.  I think he will get into Machidas guard and take him down at will and overpower him with bows to the head.  Machida has never faced a fighter like Tito and if Tito comes a 100% like he says he will he only has a punchers chance!  With all the sideshow going on with Dana and Tito, we forget that a win would propel Machida further up the latter.  This fight is huge for him, many casual fans have no clue about him.  The big time pressure is on him for the first in the UFC and we shall see how he reacts to it.  Tito has been there and done that, so there is no pressure.  Win or lose Tito will still have star power and still attract many fans to his fights, where ever that may be.

What does the future hold for Tito?  "There’s a rematch with Randy Couture, a rematch with Frank Shamrock, and maybe (heavyweights) Kimbo Slice or Fedor Emelianenko," he said. "Yes, they are (except Shamrock) heavyweights, but we can fight at a catch weight. Babalu (Renato Sobral) is another one. I have three or four years left."  EliteXC has Kimbo and Shamrock,  Afflicton has a promotion starting up with Fedor and maybe Randy.  He has endless opportunites and if a company wants to make money, SIGN HIM!!!!

So who will have the last laugh Dana or Tito?  Will we see the old Tito??  Will Tito have mic time after his win over Machida??  These questions will all be answered come saturday on PPV, order it!  So I will be putting my money on Tito, Wanderlei, and Penn.  Hope I win!

I like most people didn’t care for Tito because of some his post fight antics in the past, but after watching TUF 3 he won me over as a fan.  He is truly a genuine person, I was lucky enough to be playing blackjack at the Grand Sierra Resort here in Reno, and Tito came up and played with me at the table I was playing at.  I lost some money but was able to chat with him for about 3 hours or so, so that was really cool.  Oh, his girlfriend also said I was hot the next night so that was a plus too!  Let the Punishment begin May 24th Vegas - cya there!