With Three Fights Left on Bellator Deal, Tito Ortiz Wants to Retire as World Champion
Tito Ortiz picked up his first win in three years at Bellator 120 on Saturday, and he's not going to stop fighting until his body says “That's it, we're done here.”
Ortiz quickly submitted Alexander Shlemenko in the first round of their main-card fight, and following the contest Ortiz laid out his plans for the future: fulfill his Bellator contract and retire with the belt around his waist.
“I have three fights left on my contract with Bellator. I want to fulfill those and be the world champion when I retire,” Ortiz revealed at the Bellator post-fight news conference.
Since 2007, the former UFC light heavyweight champion has won just two fights, losing seven and picking up one draw. The less-than stellar run combined with a number of injuries have led many to call for Ortiz's retirement.
That, however, won't happen until his 205-pound frame says otherwise.
“I want to continue fighting until my body says okay, it's time to stop,” Ortiz said.
The win at Bellator 120 secured Ortiz's 17th career victory, as well as stopped a three-fight losing streak. Despite the skid and a new focus on an apparent acting career, Ortiz said he's currently having too much fun to hang up the gloves.
“I've been in acting classes now for the last six months,” he said. “I'm juggling that and twin boys. Being a single father is tough, but I really want to continue fighting. I love this. This is fun.”
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