Tito Ortiz Will Be Inducted Into UFC Hall of Fame Prior to UFC 148
Tito Ortiz will call it a career at UFC 148, but before he faces Forrest Griffin in the cage he will be honored as the ninth person inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
UFC president Dana White confirmed the news to MMAWeekly.com on Tuesday.
Following the UFC 150 press conference in Denver, White spoke to MMAWeekly.com about Ortiz's contributions to the sport, and how he was really the face of the UFC in the darkest days when finding fans to watch was still a tough proposition.
“He pound for pound was doing some of the most damage at a time when we were hurting,” said White. “But it's part of our history the way the storylines played out between me, Chuck and Tito. He's definitely a part of the history of the sport.”
The plan is for Ortiz to officially be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at the UFC Fan Expo the weekend of UFC 148.
During his career with the UFC, Ortiz won and defended the light heavyweight title a record five times, while also amassing 26 total fights inside the Octagon.
Often controversial, but always a fighter fans paid to see fight, Ortiz decided after his last bout against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira to compete in the UFC one last time and then call it a career.
As far as Ortiz's colorful past with White, it's no secret that they have seen the best of times and the worst of times, but as he heads into his final bout with the promotion, there is no more bad blood.
“Yeah (we're good),” said White. “I have no beef with Tito.”
Ortiz becomes the ninth person inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame and the first since former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes was inducted back in 2010.
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