Will MMA Pioneer Tito Ortiz Ever Seek To Fight Again?
Published by Kal Thompson on April 9th, 2009 in Current Events

 Print |  Email |  RSS

Even with Affliction’s Pac Man-like gobbling of free agents a few months ago, Tito Ortiz remains unsigned to a fight contract. Even with Strikeforce ready to forge their way into the mainstream, Ortiz has still not been inked to do battle within a ring or cage. Age and injury have hampered an MMA run that was once impeccable, but Ortiz still retains a quality that can’t be washed away with a loss or two. Even when MMA was underground, Tito still managed to achieve super-stardom.

Love him or hate him, Tito Ortiz has perhaps the most recognizable face (or should I say head) in MMA. He is truly unforgettable in every sense of the word. While Tank Abbott owns the title of the original MMA villain, Tito Ortiz took the shtick and did it one better. His grave-digging post-fight celebration act has been copied by some quality up-and-coming bad boys, but it is only a mere imitation of the original. And on a side note, his war of words with practically every member of the Lion’s Den is unforgettable.

In Tito Ortiz’ first UFC fight in Augusta, GA, he fought for free. True story. I was there. Yet now, the dollar signs seem to be the hold-up with the hold-out.

Late last August on Sports Illustrated’s website, Tito said that his next deal would be ground-breaking. He told us to keep our eyes peeled for a major announcement that would come sooner rather than later. That was many moons ago. Mid April of ’09 has rolled around; and the ground has yet to break.

Will an organization give in and pay out for the fact that Tito can still put rear-ends in the seats? Or will the ground remained sealed to the point where the man in the black hat has no other choice than to ride off into the sunset?