Tito Ortiz will become the most prolific fighter in UFC history on Saturday, with his 26th appearance.
This isn’t your father’s Tito Ortiz.
When the Team Punishment founder locks horns with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 140 inside Toronto’s Air Canada Centre on Saturday, it will be his third Octagon appearance in five months. After fighting just one time each from 2006 to 2010, the former UFC light heavyweight champion welcomes the activity and looks forward to carrying his momentum into the New Year.
“It comes with obviously being healthy,” Ortiz said during a pre-fight teleconference. “I’m able to train like I used to train before I had any injuries. That’s a blessing from God. The surgeons did great work on me -- with heart and determination, I’m able to do a lot of things and [hopefully] do a lot of things in 2012, also.”
Ortiz authored one of the year’s biggest upsets, submitting Ryan Bader with a guillotine choke in less than two minutes in July. The triumph, which came complete with his trademark gravedigger celebration, was a pleasant surprise for those who longed for the days when the Californian was the promotion’s figurehead.
That effort earned Ortiz his first headlining role since 2009, as he stepped in for an injured Phil Davis against Rashad Evans at UFC 133. The feel-good story came to a halt, at least temporarily, in the rematch of a UFC 73 bout with Evans. A devastating knee to the sternum abruptly ended Ortiz’s evening in the second round, while also serving as a reminder that age sometimes does not allow the body to recuperate as easily as it once did.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Nogueira has lost two in a row.
Ortiz acknowledges the challenges he faces in preparing for “Minotoro,” both physically and mentally. He is well aware of the toll his career has taken but is also confident that some of his trademark skills are rounding into form.
“I think my wrestling is snapping now. A lot of positions -- double-leg, single-leg, high crotch, body locks -- there’s a lot of stuff that kind of put my neck in jeopardy. I think just getting my neck nice and strong [has helped] to put those positions back in gear,” he said.
Over the years, Ortiz made a living with his wrestling, often overwhelming opponents with fierce ground-and-pound and relentless cardio. As the sport has evolved, winning with his bread and butter is no longer a given, as fighters became more well-versed in all aspects of MMA. Ortiz knows he must sharpen all of his tools to handle Nogueira, a former Pride Fighting Championships standout who is both a solid boxer and jiu-jitsu specialist.
“I’ve been in this game for almost 15 years now, and my body’s taken some damage. I understand that,” Ortiz said. “I just gotta make sure I put in the right work. It’s mixed martial arts -- everything you’ve got to work on and make sure [to] do things the right ways. I think I’ve done them for this fight, and I’m ready.”
UFC 140 marks the promotion’s return to Toronto for the first time since April, when a record crowd of 55,724 packed the Rogers Centre for UFC 129. The sport -- as well as the money involved -- has experienced rapid growth since Ortiz made his debut at UFC 13 in 1997. For two fights that night, a TKO win over Wes Albritton and a loss via guillotine choke to Guy Mezger, Ortiz received no compensation. At the time, Ortiz was still wrestling for Cal State Bakersfield.
“I fought as an amateur, and I fought for free. I wanted to keep my scholarship for collegiate wrestling,” he said.
Things are much different now. For his work versus Bader, Ortiz pocketed a reported total of $525,000, tops among all fighters on that night’s card. The payday may have changed, but Ortiz’s sense of anticipation that comes with performing in front of a crowd of people who are passionate about what he does in the cage has not.
“I’m excited to fight in front of the Canadian fans,” he said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for me to showcase my skills and put on a show and get my hand raised.”