MMA News

Props: Los Angeles Times

Quoteworthy:

“From low tide to high tide…. You figure in losing the title [to Evans] that Forrest has doubt; he had doubt against Silva. This is all or nothing for him. And this is my comeback fight. I’m not going to lie, it’s been a challenge for me. Not pain. I have no [back] pain, but I’m dealing with the fatigue from not fighting so long. I’m like 80 to 90 percent now, not 100. Coming back is hard mentally and physically. So even though I won’t be going anywhere — I have five fights left on my contract — it’s kind of do or die for both of us. But I promise I’m going to get in there and entertain. I can’t wait…. [The first fight] might have been a split-decision, but I thought I won. Look at my face after the fight, and look at his, and you’ll also see my hand was raised afterward…. Two former champions. A lot of fans hate Forrest now after the Silva fight, but he usually brings it, and I always come to fight. I’m not going anywhere. I’ve been surviving for 12 years. I know how to do this.”

Former light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz talks about his upcoming rematch with Forrest Griffin in the UFC 106 main event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Nov. 21. Ortiz and Griffin earned top billing when it was recently revealed that box office behemoth, heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, was forced off the card unexpectedly because of an illness. The promotion will now look to “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy,” who is one of the best in the business when it comes to promoting his own fights, to keep the interest alive in what likely would have been one of the biggest UFC event’s of the year. Can Ortiz — who has not competed since mid 2008 and is coming off major back surgery — put UFC 106 on his shoulders and make it a success? Or is the pay-per-view (PPV) event now destined to disappoint?

Two former light heavyweight champions will attempt another run at division greatness as Forrest Griffin (16-6) steps in on short notice to fight Tito Ortiz (15-6-1) at UFC 106 on Nov. 21 from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, the UFC confirmed earlier today.

Griffin, who will look to avenge a controversial split decision loss to “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” in their first encounter at UFC 59, replaces the previously booked Mark Coleman, who was forced to withdraw from the event after tearing his MCL in training.

Ortiz is coming off major spinal fusion surgery to correct a back problem that plagued him in his most recent bouts. His last appearance was in May 2008 — a unanimous decision loss to now 205-pound champion, Lyoto Machida.

It’s been more than a year since Ortiz saw action in that performance, which had him in trouble early only to nearly finish it with a triangle-to-armbar transition that “The Dragon” barely escaped.

After the loss, it appeared that the decade-long tumultuous relationship between Ortiz and White had finally reached its breaking point; however, the pair was able to miraculously mend fences just last month and put their difference aside to start making money together once again.

Ortiz has three wins, two defeats and one draw since he returned to action in 2006 from a brief hiatus. And those three victories have come at the expense of a past-his-prime, Ken Shamrock (twice), and the aforementioned split decision over Griffin.

Whether or not a surgically repaired back will help him return to form and make a serious run at the light heavyweight championship remains to be seen. His latest journey begins on Nov. 21.

Like Ortiz, Griffin has been on a career rollercoaster after they last met in April of 2006. The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) pioneer rebounded from a devastating loss against Keith Jardine at UFC 66 to stun former PRIDE superstar Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 76.

The scrappy best-selling author followed up that performance by upsetting Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 86 to usurp the 205-pound crown.

He promptly coughed up his new-found gold to fellow TUF grad “Sugar” Rashad Evans at UFC 92 and was then unceremoniously fed to Anderson Silva at UFC 101 last August.

After dropping back-to-back fights, Griffin is in dire need of a win. Getting a chance for redemption — not just for the consecutive losses but also for the questionable decision at UFC 59 — would go a long way in returning him (as it would Ortiz) to the forefront of division contenders.

As cliche as it sounds, this one could boil down to who wants it more.

UFC 106 will feature a main event heavyweight title bout between two absolute monsters as champion Brock Lesnar will look to defend his gold for the second time against his newest challenger, Shane Carwin.

For more on the developing UFC fight card and rumors click here.

Two former light heavyweight champions will attempt another run at division greatness as Forrest Griffin (16-6) steps in on short notice to fight Tito Ortiz (15-6-1) at UFC 106 on Nov. 21 from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, the UFC confirmed earlier today.

Griffin, who will look to avenge a controversial split decision loss to “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” in their first encounter at UFC 59, replaces the previously booked Mark Coleman, who was forced to withdraw from the event after tearing his MCL in training.

Ortiz is coming off major spinal fusion surgery to correct a back problem that plagued him in his most recent bouts. His last appearance was in May 2008 — a unanimous decision loss to now 205-pound champion, Lyoto Machida.

It’s been more than a year since Ortiz saw action in that performance, which had him in trouble early only to nearly finish it with a triangle-to-armbar transition that “The Dragon” barely escaped.

After the loss, it appeared that the decade-long tumultuous relationship between Ortiz and White had finally reached its breaking point; however, the pair was able to miraculously mend fences just last month and put their difference aside to start making money together once again.

Ortiz has three wins, two defeats and one draw since he returned to action in 2006 from a brief hiatus. And those three victories have come at the expense of a past-his-prime, Ken Shamrock (twice), and the aforementioned split decision over Griffin.

Whether or not a surgically repaired back will help him return to form and make a serious run at the light heavyweight championship remains to be seen. His latest journey begins on Nov. 21.

Like Ortiz, Griffin has been on a career rollercoaster after they last met in April of 2006. The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) pioneer rebounded from a devastating loss against Keith Jardine at UFC 66 to stun former PRIDE superstar Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 76.

The scrappy best-selling author followed up that performance by upsetting Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 86 to usurp the 205-pound crown.

He promptly coughed up his new-found gold to fellow TUF grad “Sugar” Rashad Evans at UFC 92 and was then unceremoniously fed to Anderson Silva at UFC 101 last August.

After dropping back-to-back fights, Griffin is in dire need of a win. Getting a chance for redemption — not just for the consecutive losses but also for the questionable decision at UFC 59 — would go a long way in returning him (as it would Ortiz) to the forefront of division contenders.

As cliche as it sounds, this one could boil down to who wants it more.

UFC 106 will feature a main event heavyweight title bout between two absolute monsters as champion Brock Lesnar will look to defend his gold for the second time against his newest challenger, Shane Carwin.

For more on the developing UFC fight card and rumors click here.