STOCKHOLM – Yes, Tito Ortiz is going through with his planned retirement. His UFC 148 bout with Forrest Griffin will be the final one of his illustrious career.
For real. Seriously. No joking, you guys.
While some fighters find retirement too uncomfortable and a return to the cage too enticing, the 37-year-old Ortiz told MMAjunkie.com (
UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) he's preparing himself mentally for the end of the line.
"It's my last fight after 15 years," Ortiz told MMAjunkie.com while in Stockholm for promotional duties and fan events at UFC on FUEL TV 2. "I don't know what it's going to feel like to walk out for the last time, step in the octagon for the last time, to walk out of the octagon for the last time. Honestly, man, I don't know what to expect."
In fact, Ortiz (16-10-1 MMA, 15-10-1 UFC) said he recently signed a contract for his bout with Griffin (18-7 MMA, 9-5 UFC), which is part of the pay-per-view main card of UFC 148. The bout takes place July 7 at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena. As Ortiz put pen to paper for the fight, just that simple act put him in a nostalgic mood.
"Even signing a bout agreement, I realized that's the last one," he said. "It's weird."
While he's registered just one win in the past five years, Ortiz's MMA accomplishments are undeniable. He was the biggest star – perhaps even the UFC's only star – when the fledgling organization desperately needed one. He was a master self-promoter who laid out the blueprint for thousands of showmen who followed in his footsteps. He built a million-dollar clothing brand, and he's parlayed his fame into film roles, reality-TV appearances and lucrative endorsements.
But he also was a dominant champion who still holds the UFC record for light-heavyweight title defenses (five). He's also fought more times (26) in the UFC than anyone else on the planet.
"I think with everything I did, I made a mark," he said. "I showed guys what a little hard work and inspiration can do.
"I'm thankful God gave me the gifts I've had. I could have done so many things – worse things – as a kid and a man in general. My parents being drug addicts, I look at it as, 'Why am I sitting where I am today?' I think it's through hard work and dedication. It's very inspiring toward people knowing you can achieve anything in this world as long as you stay focused and work super, super hard at it. I'm thankful for that."
But as the clock ticks and he counts down the days to that swan song, does Ortiz have second thoughts?
Could we see "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" bail on his planned retirement and soldier on?
"It's still in my head," he said. "I just turned 37. (Randy) Couture fought till he was 44 or 45. Do I want to do it, though? I just don't have that hunger in me anymore. It's a business to me now. It's been a business since day one. It's love for the fighting, but it's always a business.
"But I've got three boys to take of now. ... It's time."
So what's in store for Ortiz after UFC 148? He said he'll always be involved in the sport even if he's not fighting. And yes, an induction to the UFC Hall of Fame would be a dream come true – if for no other reason than reassurance that he did the UFC proud.
But in addition to an induction, Ortiz wants one more thing from the UFC: a job.
"ESPN just came to me and offered me a job as an analyst," he said. "But I went to (UFC Chairman) Lorenzo (Fertitta) and told him, 'I want to work for you guys.' I want to work with the UFC. I started my career with the UFC. I never had an amateur career. I've been with the UFC since day one in 1997.
"I would love to end it with the UFC."
