Posts with the tag "Tito Ortiz"

The Tito Ortiz era in the UFC is coming to an end. A run that started in 1997 will end with a fight against the very talented Lyoto Machida. The UFC had a couple of options with Ortiz, but ultimately decided to gamble on using his name to promote another fighter.

By showing the Tito Ortiz fight, the UFC will be exposing Lyoto Machida to a slew of new fans. However, the UFC is gambling that Machida will win the fight. With a win, Machida potentially becomes a superstar and simultaneously tears down Ortiz's value on the free agent market.

This scenario has the potential to backfire on the UFC. If Ortiz can find a way to win the fight, the UFC loses a star in Ortiz and hands Machida his first loss. Expect Machida to want to strike and Ortiz to take the fight to the mat. I believe Machida wins this fight by stuffing Ortiz's takedown attempts and pulling out the decision.

OK, in all fairness I started this idea a little while ago and never got around to finishing it until now. So, don't bash me for Travis Lutter not being in the UFC anymore. Also, just because I deem a fighter overrated, that doesn't mean he isn't a good fighter. Overrated means that, in general, fans think the fighter is better than he really is.

Travis Lutter
People remember Lutter because he won The Ultimate Fighter 4. So what? Most of the fighters on the show were headed out of the UFC anyway. I recognized Lutter was a pretender when he didn't make weight in his title shot against Anderson Silva. He did manage to go a couple rounds with the champ, but we all know how that ended. I always here people say how Lutter is so great at submissions, yet he let Rich Franklin escape from his arm bar.
Overrated factor: 6/10

Mike Swick
Swick's fight with Yushin Okami was a eye opener. Swick who usually explodes onto his opponents waited and let the stronger Okami control the fight. Coming into the fight, Swick and won 5 straight fights. The problem is that he had been winning these fights by capitalizing on his opponents mistakes. Swick is a great fighter, I just doubt that he will ever fight in a title match.
Overrated factor: 7/10

Roger Huerta
Don't get me wrong here, Huerta is a great fighter. His success in the UFC is only intensified by his exciting fighting style. Fans remember and like Huerta because he was the first UFC fighter to grace the cover of SI. However, looking at his 6 UFC victories, is there anybody on that list that is also contending for a title? Huerta can quickly get off this list with a win over Kenny Florian.
Overrated factor: 8/10

Tito Ortiz
A UFC legend for sure, Tito Ortiz is always remembered for his early fights in the UFC. Here in lies the problem, most people remember him as he used to be. His fight with Rashad Evans assured me that Ortiz isn't the same fighter he once was. Another sure sign is his lengths between fights, seems like he only fights once a year. The UFC is letting him walk after his next fight, can you say overrated?
Overrated factor: 9/10

Michael Bisping
What is it about Michael Bisping? Seems like everybody thinks he is a true title contender. He did win The Ultimate Fighter 3, but his fight with Rashad Evans should have opened some eyes. The next couple of fights will either legitimize him as a contender or identify him as a fraud.
Overrated factor: 9/10

Tito Ortiz is apparently done with the UFC. He has plans for a new reality TV show called "Anytown Throwdown" according to MMAJunkie.com. Sounds like the show will matchup two regular joes in an attempt to resolve some dispute. Sounds like Tito will spend a day or so training the "fighters" before they eventually duke it out.

The show definitely has potential, but will need to be done with some humor. If the show takes a serious approach it won't make it three episodes. They should add one more twist, the last show of the season claims a season winner that must fight Tito... wouldn't that be fun?

So Tito is being Tito once again. In an interview with Howard Stern, Tito talks about Dana White and starting his own fight promotion (see MMAJunkie and Five Ounces Of Pain). Tito is very much a business man, as is apparent on The Apprentice, and he is simply trying to get his name in the headlines. As some say, any press is good press. In the end, it won't help him get a better deal in the UFC (or one at all), but could help him land a big contract in another promotion. Oh, and the idea that he would start his own promotion? That's just stupid.

Tito Ortiz is once again going out of his way to not fight. The Celebrity Apprentice debuts Thursday on NBC and Ortiz is among the contestants. I do expect to get a few good laughs out of the show and at least they are competing for charity. Still, isn't there better things Tito could be doing with his time?

Maybe Tito is expanding his career by only fight 2 times a year, I am not sure. I would like to see him fight a little more. Tito, start training now so you and Wanderlei Silva can fight in 2008.