Arash Markazi from SI.com has all the details. Its expected to be announced today at a press conference for Affliction's Day Reckoning event on October 11th at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. Tito gave some of his thoughts on a supposedly ground-breaking contract.
"I guarantee you that my contract will be like no other," said Ortiz, stopping short of giving away the specifics of a deal that could include responsibilities outside of the ring. "It will be a ground-breaking record contract for sure, without a doubt. There's so much money to be made right now in mixed martial arts and it's all about the fighters trying to make that money. It's going to be a long-term deal where I put my heart and soul into the company and help build them. That's something I'm interested in doing. They're going to bring me on, not just as a fighter but also doing some of the back work also."
Ortiz is expected to compete on October 11th and all indications point to his opponent being Renato "Babalu" Sobral.
"Babalu has been in my crosshairs," Ortiz said. "He's already been talking smack, saying if he sees me he's going to kick my ass, but right on if he keeps thinking that. He'll get his face caved in sooner or later. I know Frank Shamrock is another person who's been opening up his mouth. He beat me the last time we fought and I think that would be a great revenge fight where I kick his ass and finally shut him up. As time goes we'll see who Affliction signs besides me. I don't know. I might even go up to heavyweight if the bigger pay days are there."
The UFC has a chance to match the offer, but Ortiz says that is highly unlikely.
"They have the right to match the offer, so I'll be getting a deal that no other fighter has ever gotten. It's going to be some ground-breaking news for sure," he said. "I'm going to a company that's going to take care of me, a company that's going to respect me, a company that's going to put me in the forefront and make me the ambassador that I've always been. I think Mr. Trump respects me at that value to get it. My heart's not with the UFC anymore because of how bad they treated me. They don't respect me and they don't see me as a businessman. All they think is that I'm a punk fighter that's going to fold, and I've already proven that I'm not going to fold to anything by not resigning with them."
This deal will end an 11-year career in the UFC for the former light-heavyweight champion.
15 comments:
Go for it Tito!!!!
good riddance to him...the UFC is still growing as the premier company for mixed martial arts...Tito has proven time and time again that he is no longer the elite fighter that he once was...even during his reign as champion his defenses were only against mediocre contenders...while Chuck did away with the serious threats...
Speaking of serious threats...I desperately hope for two things to happen...first that Tito does get a re-match with Frank Shamrock...unlike Tito...Frank Shamrock has continued to evolve his game as the fight game itself has evolved and still he remains an elite fighter...Shamrock will undoubtedly do away with Tito in the same fashion that Chuck did...and secondly...I truly hope that Tito moves up a weight class...maybe then he can re-establish himself while fighting larger/slower opponents...I can almost guarantee that he will be kept away from truly dominant fighters like Fedor or even Josh Barnett...
Tito needs to accept his mediocrity and leave the sport that he helped grow, but has quite obviously outgrown him...and his antics...MMA can and should be left alone to do without him...
All respect due to Tito, but he's past his prime and I don't think Affliction can garner a LHW division that could match that of the UFC. Liddel, Rampage, Wanderlei, Shogun, Forrest, Machida, etc. It's a good move for Affliction to pick him up, it's a great addition to their roster, but i'm not sure what they can really do with him.
how do you become mma's highest paid fighter when your last 3 fights are 2 losses and draw?
Tito looked like crap against Machida. After that, he gets a record high contract? Well, I'm sure Donald Trump can afford it, but it's still a waste of money.
As much crap as Tito talks, he's got a really good point he forgets to push as often as he could;UFC pays their fighters CRAAAAAP. Some guys walk out of PPV events with less 6-7k. That's HORRIBLE, especially since you train with various coaches and nutritionist and gyms for up to 3 months for a fight. Dana says there are bonuses, which is true, but it's only for best knock outs, submissions, etc, so given the amount of fights, only a few get them, and there's no guarantee the $6,000 fighter will land a bonus. How do you improve with no cash to pay bills while you train? I USED to be one of those guys who thought pro athletes got paid way to much, but the reality is they're filling the seats, selling the t-shirts and PPVs so they should get much more of the money. The money is being made, the PPVs are selling like crazy, way past time to pay the fighters! That's why i support Tito, Randy, Affliction, etc.
tito is a disgrace to the sport i don't know why he will be the highest paid fighter in mma imo he is one of the worst ones
He may not be the top, but he sure is one of the most entertaining people in the sport!
Everyone knows his name. with all these new people coming in, I almost feel lost - It's good to have the original faces.
He will have to win a few though - maybe they should do what they did with kimbo - match him up with people who are "ok" - where he has like a 90% chance of winning.
Well, the rumors are that its 95% likely his opponent will be Babalu.
If this takes place, then it will definitely not be the Kimbo scenario....
Actually it will be the "highest paid fighter" getting his ass handed to him in the first round !
I dislike Tito as a fighter. I don't think that MMA needs the make believe antics of pro wrestling. However, he has shown plenty of times that he is willing to sell his soul for the sport. I think that is what he is getting paid for. Most fighters probably aren't going to also be holding executive positions in their fight leagues. He won't be the highest paid fighter. He'll just be a fighter who also gets paid to conduct business. If Bill Gates got into the ring, then he would be MMA's highest paid fighter.
All the recognizable names are leaving the UFC, and that will only result in the UFC having to pay their fighters more. And that is good.
The UFC might continue to be the most respected fight organization, but only if they give in to WAMMA, or something like it.
Tito is obnoxious. I hope he isn't commenting the fights or anything, because his voice annoys the SHIT out of me.
Unfortunately his aesthetic matches that of Affliction perfectly. The same aesthetic that makes me not want to watch Affliction. The whole gothy metal look is just so fucking tacky and dated.
He didn't sign with Affliction. Yet. But if and when he does: who cares. Like someone already said, he's 0 - 2 - 1 in his last 3 fights.
Wow, Affliction is apparently going to pay Tito more than they're paying Fedor? Now that's smart business acumen! lol... apparently "The Donald" thinks Tito is worth it? He's sadly mistaken.
tito is a legend of the sport.its not a sport that u can do 4 20 years.there wat sells there sport so its about time they get paid 4 it.4 way to long the people who make all the money in mma dont even get inside the ring.we should start appreceating ther talent .as 4 his last 3 fights .mma can go either way u can win some u loose some.show me one great mma fighter without a loss.ther is none.
Tito was only good when the fighters didn't know every fighting style just to try to get in UFC alone mastering all of them, right now compaired to all the fighters in the world Tito is garbedge in the highest payed trash can, Donald Trump obviously doesn't watch any MMA and just went off of how big his name is. I can think of 20 205 pounders that would pound his ass, he is a show boy not a top fighter....
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