Tito Ortiz | Love Him Or Hate Him, MMA Will Miss Him Following Retirement
By Chase Raymond:
When Tito Ortiz steps into the octagon at UFC 148 on July 7th 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, expect to hear no boo’s, no silence, and see no one in their seats. The one time “Huntington Beach bad boy” and now self proclaimed “Peoples Champ” will be making his electrifying entrance for the last time. Tito has said this is his last fight and then he’s retiring. It’s going to be bitter sweet for me, and all the true fans of MMA, because yes Tito is right, its time. All though we wont get to see one of the best light heavyweight fighters and fight sellers of all time again, his impact on the sport and UFC will live on forever.
Tito Ortiz has not only helped build the UFC from his first fight at UFC 13 in 1997, but he has built his team punishment brand into one of the most popular brands in all of mixed martial arts. The “Peoples Champ” has helped build some of the most popular fighters from his time as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 3 and 11. Tito is also seen by many as the guy who made the “ground and pound” technique famous by using his expert wrestling and vicious elbow’s to punish his way to the UFC light heavyweight championship. His run as champion was from April 14, 2000 until September 26, 2003. Tito was then, is now, and will always be one of the best light heavyweight fighters in UFC history.
There’s not another fighter in the history of MMA that sold the fight like Tito, or that could inspire your emotions like Tito. Whether you agreed or disagreed with what he had to say, Tito made you feel personally vested in the fight. He knew how to say the right things to get into guys heads and get them off their game plan. Now many try to copy his method, and fighters from now until the end of time will continue to because they know how successful Tito Ortiz was at it. The problem with that is, The Huntington Beach Bad boy backed it up. If he said you would be a bloody mess by the end of the fight, guess what, 9 times out of 10 you were. His trademark shirt with tag lines for the specific fights he was in is another reason Tito was a one and only. If you took a list of the best light heavyweights in MMA ever, you can bet that the HBB has fought against most of them.
All though his record as of late isn’t one to brag about, when Tito Ortiz defeated Ryan Bader at UFC 132 by submission on that emotional night, we all again believed that there was one more title run left for Mr. Ortiz. Then when he took the fight against Rashad Evans the very next month for a number one contender match, even the biggest Tito haters found themselves chanting “Tito, Tito, Tito.” After the fight was over and Tito Ortiz had fallen, we all remembered why we loved watching Tito Ortiz; it was because of his heart, his champions spirit and most of all because The Huntington Beach bad boy always did what he did for us, the fans. He never fought for another organization other then UFC and showed his loyalty and the fact that he fought for the love of the sport and for all MMA fans, whether you loved him or hated him, we can all agree, MMA will miss Tito Ortiz.
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The co-host of late night cageside on Monday 10pm est. Twittter - @chaseraymond and @ln_cageside
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Right on the money chase. Tito is and always will be one of the best 205ers to throw down in the octagon. And im not a tito fan but you have to give him credit.
tito’s mother
I have never found myself chanting “Tito.” Nor do i think he is and always will be one of the best. I’m glad he’s retiring because i don’t want to see him do his block and pray against the fence anymore. I think this is the worst article i’ve ever read on bjpenn.com. Tito sucks and good riddance. He owes his belt to Chuck for beating the big guys while he fought the weaker ones.
Dude – you need to stop smoking shit and posting comments, because what you’ve just said is absolute BS. I respect Tito if for no other reason than he held the UFC title for 3 years and gave us some of the most entertaining fights over the last decade. I’ll take a guess here and suggest that’s 3 more years than you ever will.
The guy is a living legend, a hall of famer, he deserves some respect. He backed up his motor mouth with action. Respect where respect is due.
Youre a tool, You must be one of the fly by night mma fans that know nothing about the history of the sport. Tito helped pioneer the sport and fought some of the best 205s ever.
Uber u obviously know nothing, Tito defended the title 5 straight times and will be a hall of gamer for sure ur an idiot
Famer not gamer I’m an idiot too, just not as much as u
UFC 40 still the best entrance up to this day!
WAR TITO!
eh he was good back then. But Chuck Liddell Was a level above him, and look what happened to chuck with some of these newer fighters. Grant it he is pretty old, but damn
Not sure when he became the peoples champ but I have grown to respect him and what hes done so well for so long. Truly deserves a UFC HOF bid
Yo tito is the man! He’s a big reason why the sport evolved. Sure, his days r done but it’s a new game now, and a new level, because of his contribution.
I missed the champion days for Tito, but he’s been such a tool since then that I can’t miss him. When he lost to Griffin, the whole restaurant cheered. Does anyone like someone who tries to be a gracious loser to gain sympathy but a jerk winner?
I respect Tito, but I’m glad to see him go.
He was always my favourite pick on UFC on the old sega dreamcast.
I’m very interested to see if Dana swallows his pride and welcomes Tito Ortiz into the UFC Hall of Fame. Tito definitely deserves it, there’s no denying it. I mean heck Ken Shamrock is there.
He will be missed but I’m still glad that he’s hanging up the gloves because I don’t want his record to take any more damage then it already has.
Huge Tito Fan , I am just like him. **** you if you don’t like me. Dana is my bitch t shirt.lol.
tito vs forrest 3 will be epic
thats the best article i have read on this. you are spot on.