Tito served his purpose and served it well, he brought a ton of exposure to The UFC, he also brought a lot of Latin Americans along with him. Every sport needs it's heel/bad boy and Tito was it. He was a good fighter, but like many other fighters from his era, they got passed by the new breed, guys who were more diverse and could use more than one technique. Tito was a great wrestler and ground-n-pound fighter, but his stand-up left a lot to be desired and I can;t recall him trying or applying any submission holds.

He hasn't been a serious fighter in a couple of years, he like many other guys getting older became with his future and wanted to secure a good like for himself and his family when he was finished fighting. He became really successful with his clothing line and other ventures and seems as though he hasn't been as focused as one would need to be when you are in this sport.

I may be in the minority in thinking this but I believe if he dropped all of his outside business ventures and focused on training and fighting he could still be a top 10 fighter, but it's all up to him. I believe Tito is the type of fighter who will want to shove it down Dana's throat and sign with another organization and put on some great performances, he is a very proud man, except when he chooses his latest women!!!!

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I agree with you King. Tito brought the UFC a few things it needed at the time. He was young, talented, tough and a complete ass...which led to great rivalry and built up a tonne of hype with the "Lions den is for Pussy's" thing. Tito was an entertaining champ but maybe time and his inabilty to beat Chuck has meant his time in the UFC should be over. Tito will still be a popular draw for some other league and if he concentrates on MMA he will probably hold a belt in some crappy league until they fade away.

Welcome Rizzo!
Tito is still a top tier fighter in my opinion but I just think he is facing the next champ, so he has his work cut out for him. if I was to put out a top 20 I would def. have him between 11-15 but thats only my opinion.
good night all.

MMABrat
Run Forest Run

Ortiz is one of the main guys who popularized the sport. Now, he's probably past his prime physically (back injuries, etc.) and he's also focused on cashing in.

I can't blame him. Athletes have short careers and I think it's smart for them to think about life after their careers are over. Companies and leagues make tons of money off them. They also need to take care of themselves...

tito would still be with the company if he wasn't asking for so much money. he's still a top 10 LHW fighter for sure.

I agree with you sanitys_guardian (but I can't argue with The Fight Ticker).

I thinks his antics are transparent and his fighting is over rated. I don't think he has much of a chance against Machida.

That said I look forward to seeing him in another organization where he can actually lend some name recognition at least.

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paps, i disagree. he's not a top ten lhw fighter!!! i never liked tito. the only thing he has done recently is lose to chuck liddell and beat old man ken shamrock. woopty doo

Underboss MMAfia

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Godfather and all-around Mafia Aficionado

Co-Founder of The MMAFIA

Live Blogger for Fightticker.Com

well said king...

Underboss MMAfia

Head of the West Coast Family
ULTIMATE CHALLENGE CHAMPION UFC 83

lol did he say something?

MMABrat
Run Forest Run

i don't know...maybe something messed up...but i agree with him

Underboss MMAfia

Head of the West Coast Family
ULTIMATE CHALLENGE CHAMPION UFC 83

Underboss MMAfia

Head of the West Coast Family
ULTIMATE CHALLENGE CHAMPION UFC 83

yeah i'm in the minority...most people don't have him ranked in the top 10 LHW. i have him at the very lower end because i don't have soku in my top 10 which most people have. also even though i think he lost, he did technically beat forrest who is in everyone's top 10.

He technically beat Rashad as well. (Point deduction) I have never seen anyone as happy about getting a draw as Rashad was...2 rounds to 1 round and bonus point for Tito grabbing the fence.

Tito could still be a top 10 fighter if he was not so busy marketing clothes, hanging out on reality shows and banging porn starts.....too may distractions. In addition, I think he could be a good coach if he wanted.

he coached on TUF...did a good job imo

Underboss MMAfia

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ULTIMATE CHALLENGE CHAMPION UFC 83

Better than .....the other guy!!!!

...anyone would have done a better job than that senior citizen.

Underboss MMAfia

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ULTIMATE CHALLENGE CHAMPION UFC 83

Tito was the face of the UFC for 4 years. He was the "It" guy. With that said, I don't care for the man what so ever. Despite his wars (Wanderlei, Randy, etc...) I never felt he really wanted to be a fighter. And that goes for a lot of the punishment guys (Rob, Tiki, etc...) I think they have and always will be, more concerned about being famous and banging pornstars than fighting. Just my opinion. And I don't know how I feel about Tito leaving. Personally, I don't think he will. This happened 4 years ago and he was back within a year. So......Tito won't fight in a ring, he won't fight anyone good (unless he knows he will lose and it will still look good. Lyoto, Chuck, Randy), and he won't fight for less than 100,000$. So I'm sure Gary Shaw will court him to fight Kimbo and I'm sure Affliction will def. look at him for their 205lbs. division-- but in the end I don't see Tito going anywhere, especially if he loses to Machida (which I think will happen). Who knows though...and better yet, who cares?

He was a product of his time in MMA (I.E. Igor, Kerr, Coleman, Royce, Hughes (maybe not Hughes, but the argument could be made)), he refused to adapt and his career has suffered. He has great wrestling and GNP, average stand up, average JJ, and an even more average personality. Ever since I can remember the dude always came off as fake to me, and as Shaq told us, "You can't fake the funk on a nasty dunk" sucka.