Tito Speaks on the Future

by Brent Brookhouse on May 13, 2008 2:56 PM EDT in News Comment 8 comments

Ben Zeidler over at MMA Madness has posted an interview with Tito Ortiz in which Tito addresses his future:

Tito Ortiz: Actually, I've seen my fan base increase. They've seen the true colors of Dana and they've seen that I'm not the only one saying something. Many fighters - Randy [Couture], Tim [Sylvia] - are talking about what Dana has been doing. Fans want to support me no matter where I go.

MMA Madness: And on that note, can you tell us what's next for you?

Tito Ortiz: Well, nothing official yet. As soon as this fight is over, I have a 30-day waiting period before I can negotiate.

MMA Madness: Which organizations are you interested in?

Tito Ortiz: Definitely EliteXC. Affliction seems to be building up well. And they just started with DREAM in Japan. Any organization that will respect me and promote me as the champion that I am.

MMA Madness: And of these organizations you're interested in, which have contacted you?

Tito Ortiz: All of them have contacted me, but I can't negotiate yet.

I think a lot of people are expecting Tito to fight and within 24 hours announce that he has signed with EXC, Affliction or DREAM. In reality he can't even begin negotiations with any non-UFC promotion until 30 days after the fight. Knowing how difficult Tito can be at the table when it comes to getting a contract he likes I'm going to say it'll be July or August before we know what his next move is.

There really aren't a lot of attractive non-UFC fights at light heavy outside of Frank Shamrock or Cung Le (who would each have to be willing to move up to 205...which may not be doable for Le). Tito says in the interview that he'd consider bulking up and fighting Fedor or Kimbo also. I think the smart path would be for him to take a deal with EXC and fight Le or Shamrock on a joint promoted card. From there if he really wants to bulk up he could take on Strikeforce's heavyweight champion in Alistair Overeem as a "testing the waters" bout...this is also a fairly safe bout as Ortiz would likely be able to get the fight to the ground and pound out a win. From there you can try to work a possible big money fight with Kimbo.

Fantasy matchmaking on my part to be sure, but it's a path that is doable, profitable and fairly safe route for Tito.

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Re: Tito Speaks on the Future

Le and Shamrock are middleweights, though I could see Frank going up to 205 if the money was right.

by MikeyPatriot on May 13, 2008 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Tito Speaks on the Future

I should edit that as I completely left it out. Le or Shamrock would have to be willing to come up to LH. Trying to write between doing "real" work = fail

by Brent Brookhouse on May 13, 2008 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Tito Speaks on the Future

I think the Shamrock match-up is definitely something we'll see right off the bat. I also think a potential bout with Babalu should Babalu get past Whitehead in impressive fashion is something that would be interesting. I honestly don't see Tito taking a fight with Alistair unless Alistair were to win big on a widely seen card. I think we'll see him fight Frank right off the bat and then about 6 months later he'll lock horns with Kimbo for shits and giggles. There's the potential for a bout with someone like babalu sandwiched inbetween but I doubt it. I see Tito taking big money matches and fighting about twice a year at this point.

by dropkick101 on May 13, 2008 6:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Tito Speaks on the Future

The Alistair fight was something that I think would be a good "Tito proves he can do it at heavyweight" fight. Plus it gives another fight which = more time for Kimbo to develop before they make that match.

by Brent Brookhouse on May 13, 2008 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Tito Speaks on the Future

Tito fighting twice a year after UFC? I was thinking once, if not less because his negotiating tactics. He knows what he wants, and either way if other promotions want to make money off their shows, they'll give it to him. He's sounding like he's changing his ways a little bit, going back to the old Tito, but time will tell. Hopefully he does, but I think the MMA world is evolving by the second, and he's at a stand still.

by JPonton on May 13, 2008 9:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs