Tag Archives: Tito ortiz

Tito Ortiz: “It’s My First One And I’ll F*cking Be Back”

Posted on 09/12/2021

By: Hans Themistode

Tito Ortiz was envisioning a beautiful and triumphant night.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion ditched his MMA gloves in favor of boxing attire and took on fellow former UFC star, Anderson Silva. The two faced off at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, in an eight-round exhibition.

Although Ortiz expressed a great deal of confidence heading in, Silva proved to be far too much on the night, catching his man with a flush right hook in the opening round that saw Ortiz hit the deck in a heap. Still, regardless of the result, while it may have been his first time in the ring, don’t expect it to be his last.

“It’s my first one and I’ll f*cking be back,” said Ortiz during an interview with Fight Hub TV. “Win some, lose some but I will fight another day.”

Early on, before Ortiz met his unfortunate demise, the former UFC star enjoyed moments of success. Considering that Ortiz walked into their showdown with an eight-pound weight advantage on the scales, Ortiz attempted to bully his man. With just over a minute left in the opening frame, Ortiz pinned Silva against the ropes and began uncorking several shots.

The overzealous nature of Ortiz, however, ultimately left him open to the fight-ending blow shortly after. Having fought some of the biggest punchers in UFC history, including long-time rival Chuck Liddell, Ortiz believes that he was never hit as hard as he was by Silva last night.

“I made a little mistake, just being a little too wild. I never been clipped like that, even Liddell didn’t clip me like that. I was being too stupid for standing in front of him like that.”

Throughout a career that’s spanned more than two decades, Ortiz has registered several knockout wins in the cage. Nevertheless, despite showing off concussive power, Ortiz is primarily known as a wrestler. As he attempts to continue his acclimation process to the sweet science, Ortiz vows that he’ll be back sooner rather than later.

“I never boxed before but it was an opportunity and it was fun,” explained Ortiz. “I trained as hard as I possibly could for it. I’m going to continue to box. I still want to box, I’m just learning. I’m not a boxer, I’m a wrestler. I’ll be back, I promise you.”

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Tito Ortiz: “Anderson [Silva] Is Gonna Try To Do His Bruce Lee Bullshit, I’m Gonna Come To Fight”

Posted on 09/11/2021

By: Hans Themistode

Sometimes, things become far more complexed than they need to be.

Heading into his boxing debut against former UFC star Anderson Silva, Tito Ortiz is still attempting to get comfortable in the squared circle. Having spent the past few decades building his name and perfecting his craft in the Mixed Martial Arts world, Ortiz won’t fulminate with anyone who says he isn’t a boxer.

In fact, the 46-year-old agrees with those assertions. With that said, while the 2012 UFC Hall of Famer won’t disguise the fact that he’s a boxing newbie, once the bell rings, he’ll be looking to cause serious damage.

“I’m a fighter,” said Ortiz during a press conference. “I’m not a boxer, I’m learning boxing, I’m going to continue to learn boxing but I’m a fighter. I’m gonna come in and swing for the fences.”

Ortiz vs. Silva is set to co-main event a five-fight card at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, in Hollywood, Florida later on tonight, which is headlined by Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort.

Much like Ortiz, Silva is still getting accustomed to fighting on a boxing stage as opposed to inside a steel cage. But, so far so good. After losing his professional boxing debut against Osmar Luiz Teixeira in 1998 via first-round stoppage, Silva would return to the ring seven years later against Julio Cesar De Jesus, scoring a second-round knockout victory.

From there, Silva prioritized a career in MMA and went on to become one of the greatest fighters the sport has ever seen. After dominating for over a decade, it appeared as though Silva was on his way to retirement. However, when the opportunity to face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a boxing ring was presented to him, Silva found it to be an irresistible proposition.

Although Silva hadn’t fought in a professional contest in 16 years, he shook off the cobwebs and won a close but clear split decision on the night.

Known for his karate style of attack, Ortiz is well aware of what Silva brings to the table. Not to overcomplicate things, Ortiz has made his game plan to defeat Silva as simple as possible.

“I use two fists and try to punch through Anderson Silva’s face,” explained Ortiz. “Anderson is gonna try to do his Bruce Lee bullshit, I’m gonna come in to fight. That’s what I know how to do.”

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Anderson Silva Set To Take On Tito Ortiz On September 11th

Posted on 08/11/2021

By: Hans Themistode

Anderson Silva had grown accustomed to locking himself in a cage and using his knees, elbows, fists, and chokeholds to pick up the win. However, with the former mixed martial arts star making the switch to the professional boxing ring instead, it appears as though he’ll be sticking around much longer.

After picking up an unexpected win against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June of 2021, Silva will now make his return to the ring. Standing on the opposite side of him in the squared circle will be former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz, who will be making his boxing debut. The two are scheduled to face off as part of a Triller pay-per-view on September 11th, as the co-main event to Oscar De La Hoya vs. Vitor Belfort

With the opportunity to continue his newfound combat career, Silva couldn’t be happier.

“I am very excited to have the opportunity, along with my team, to get in the ring against Tito Ortiz on Sept. 11 with Triller Fight Club, who are really shaking things up in the combat sports world.”

While Silva may have made his name fighting in the UFC’s octagon, so too did Ortiz. Long before Jon Jones, whom many consider to be the greatest light heavyweight of all time, Ortiz proudly held that distinction.

During a three and a half year span, Ortiz dominated the division, winning the light heavyweight crown and defending it a then-record five times. He’s since had one foot out the mixed martial arts door as he briefly entered retirement in the mid-2010s. Currently, despite being 46 years of age, Ortiz is enjoying a career renaissance of sorts. After suffering losses in six of his past seven fights from 2008-2012, Ortiz has strung together victories in five of his past six fights, including three straight.

Having done everything that there is to do in the mixed martial arts world, Ortiz is not only looking forward to trying his hand at something completely different but as he’s been seen on numerous occasions walking to the cage with the American flag draped around his shoulders, he’s honored to be fighting on September 11th.

“I am excited to be taking on a new challenge and compete against another great fighter in Anderson Silva,” said Ortiz. “As a patriot, fighting on Sept. 11 means a lot to me.”

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